Secono  Servant  : 


"  and  his  poor  self 
Walks  like  contempt,  alone" 

TiMON  OF  Athens  Aci  IV  Scene  2 


myi^otes^  Glossary, 
C^vxticcil    C7on\nr\er\jts, 
ai\cf  «/g^etKpcf  of  Study 


Tl\e    Ur\iver»si^y  Society 
New     York. 


Copyright,    1 901 

By 

THE    UNIVERSITY    SOCIETY 


COLLEGE 
LIBRARY 


?K 


THE  A  ^ 

LIFE   OF   TIMON   OF  ATHENS. '"^^   ' 


Preface. 

The  First  Edition.  '' Tinwn  of  Athens''  was  printed 
for  the  first  time  in  the  Folio  of  1623 ;  it  occupies  twenty- 
one  pages,  from  80  to  98  in  the  division  of  "  Tragedies  " 
(pages  81  and  82  being  numbered  twice  over).  ''The 
Actors'  Names  "  are  given  on  the  next  page,  a  blank  page 
follows,  and  then  comes  the  play  of  Julius  Cccsar,  begin- 
ning a  new  sheet,  marked  kk  instead  of  ii,  and  numbered 
109.  It  is  noteworthy  that  *'  Troilus  and  Cressida " 
would  just  have  filled  the  space  of  pages  80-108,  and 
judging  from  the  fact  that  its  second  and  third  pages  are 
numbered  79'''  and  80,  one  may  perhaps  safely  assume 
that  Timon  took  its  place  in  the  Folio  {vide  Preface  to 
Troilus  and  Cressida).  The  text  is  one  of  the  worst 
printed  in  the  volume,  and  the  famous  crux  "  Vllorxa  " 
(III.  iv.  112)  may  be  regarded  as  typical  of  the  many 
errors,  resulting  from  carelessness  or  other  causes. 

The  Authorship  of  the  Play.  The  doubtful  authorship 
of  a  great  part  of  the  play  accounts,  in  all  probability,  for 
the  unsatisfactory  state  of  the  text;  it  is  now  generally 
agreed  that  ''  Timon  "  contains  a  good  deal  of  non-Shake- 
spearian alloy.  The  following  pieces  do  not  stand  the 
test: — Act  I.  Sc.  i.  189 — end  of  the  scene  (?  249-265; 
283-294)  ;    the  whole  of  Sc.  ii. ;    Act  II.  Sc.  ii.  45-124; 

*  Be  it  observed  that  the  first  page  of  Timon  is  really  78,  not  80; 
the  mistake  was  due  to  the  numbering  of  the  last  page  of  Romeo 
and  Juliet,  which  was  marked  79  instead  of  77. 


Preface  THE  LIFE  OF 

Act  III.,  except  Sc.  vi.  92-109;  Act.  IV.  Sc.  ii.  30-50,  ( ?) 
iii.  292-360,  402-415.  456-544 ;  Act  V.  (  ?)  Sc.  i.  1-59 ;  il. ; 
iii.  A^arions  attempts  have  been  made  to  extract  the  ore 
from  this  "  mineral  of  metals  base,"  and,  purged  from 
grosser  stuff,  "  Shakespeare's  Timon  "  was  issued  by  the 
Neiv  Shakespeare  Society  in  the  year  1874,  embodying 
the  labours  of  Mr.  Fleay  {vide  also  Shakespeare  Manual, 
pp.  187-208).* 

A'arious  theories  have  been  advanced  as  to  the  com- 
position of  Timon: — (i.)  that  Shakespeare  worked  over 
an  older  drama,  the  remains  of  which  are  still  to  be  found 
in  the  inferior  portions  of  the  play;f  (ii.)  that  Shake- 
speare and  another  author  collaborated;  (iii.)  that  the 
play  left  unfinished  by  Shakespeare  was  hastily  and  care- 
lessly completed  by  some  playwright  either  (0)  for  stage- 
purposes,  or  {h)  for  insertion  in  the  First  Folio;  (iv.) 
that  the  editors  of  the  Folio  could  only  obtain  the  parts 
of  the  principal  actors,  and  the  deficiencies  had  to  be  sup- 
plied from  an  earlier   Timon,X   or  by  some  second-rate 

*  "  The  play  is.  in  its  present  state,  unique  among  Shakespeare's 
for  its  languid,  wearisome  want  of  action.  This  renders  it  one  of 
the  least  read  of  all  his  works.  But  this  fault  is  entirely  due  to 
the  passages  which  I  assign  to  the  second  writer,  not  one  of  which 
adds  anything  to  the  development  of  the  plot,  for  they  are  in 
every  instance  mere  expansions  of  facts  mentioned  in  the  genuine 
parts  of  the  play." 

t  The  Cambridge  Editors  seem  to  hold  the  view : — "  The  origi- 
nal play,  on  which  Shakespeare  worked,  must  have  been  written, 
for  the  most  part,  either  in  prose  or  in  very  irregular  verse." 
Farmer  first  suggested  this  explanation ;  Knight  followed  Farmer, 
maintaining  that  "  Timon  was  a  play  originally  produced  by  an 
artist  very  inferior  to  Shakespeare,  which  probably  retained  pos- 
session of  the  stage  for  some  time  in  its  first  form ;  that  it  has 
come  down  to  us  not  wholly  rewritten,  but  so  far  remodelled  that 
entire  scenes  of  Shakespeare  have  been  substituted  for  entire 
scenes  of  the  elder  play,"  etc. 

$  Elze,  Delius.  and  others  assign  the  earlier  Timon  to  George 
Wilkins  (cp.  Preface  to  Pericles);  Fleay  believes  "that  Cyril 
Tourneur  was  the  only  person  connected  with  the  King's  Com- 


TIMON  or  ATHENS  Preface 

dramatist;  (v.)  that  the  combination  of  (i.)  and  (iii.) 
best  satisfies  all  the  difficulties. 

The  Fifth  Act  of  the  play  gives,  me  judice,  the  best 
clue  to  the  solution  of  the  problem.  It  certainly  produces 
the  impression  of  having  been  left  roughly  sketched  by 
Shakespeare,  whose  touch  is  manifest  in  the  more  impor- 
tant speeches,  especially  those  belonging  to  the  character 
of  Timon  ;  but  while  the  Third  Scene  is  clearly  not  Shake- 
speare's, the  four-lined  epitaph  in  the  Fourth  Scene,  the 
Shakespearian  portion,  combines  two  inconsistent  couplets, 
and  the  combination  could  not  have  been  intended  by 
Shakespeare,  though  both  wxre  naturally  in  the  rough  un- 
finished MS. ;  the  poet  had  evidently  not  made  up  his 
mind  which  of  the  two  epitaphs  to  use,  whether  Timon's 
own,  or  that  which,  "  commonly  rehearsed,"  was  not  his 
"  but  was  made  by  the  poet  Callimachus."  * 

In  all  probability  Shakespeare's  unfinished  MS.,  con- 

pany  at  this  time  who  could  have  written  the  other  part  "  of  the 
play.     All  this  is  mere  supposition. 

*  In  order  that  the  reader  should  understand  the  weight  of  this 
piece  of  evidence,  he  should  compare  Act  V.  Sc.  iv.  11.  70-73  with 
its  original  in  North's  Plutarch  {Life  of  Antonius)  : — "  He  (Ti- 
mon) died  in  the  city  of  Hales,  and  was  buried  upon  the  seaside. 
Now  it  chanced  so  that  the  sea  getting  in,  it  compassed  his  tomb 
round  about,  that  no  man  could  come  to  it ;  and  upon  the  same 
was  written  this  epitaph  : — 
"  Here  lies  a  wretched  corse,  of  wretched  soul  bereft; 

Seek  not  my  name:  a  plague  consume  you  wicked  wretches 
left!" 

It  is  reported  that  Timon  himself  when  he  lived  made  this  epi- 
taph ;  for  that  which  is  commonly  rehearsed  was  not  his,  but  made 
by  the  poet  Callimachus  : — 
"  Here  lie  /,  Timon,  who  alive  all  living  men  did  hate: 

Pass  by  and  curse  thy  fill:  but  pass,  and  stay  not  here  thy  gait."' 

(The  substitution  of  "  ivicked  caitiffs"  for  ^'wicked  wretches" 
suggests  a  comparison  with  Paynter's  version  of  the  epitaph,  be- 
ginning "  My  wretched  caitif  days"  etc.).  It  is  not  likely  that  lines 
3,  4  in  the  previous  Scene  (V.  iii.)  are  intended  for  Timon's  epi- 
taph, though  at  first  sight  the  rhyming  couplet  gives  that  impres- 


Preface  THE  LIFE  OF 

taining  the  main  parts  of  the  play  already  written  out, 
with  the  general  plan  merely  outlined,  was  worked  up 
after  Shakespeare's  death  into  the  play  we  possess ;  it 
cannot  be  finally  determined  whether  this  elaboration  was 
undertaken  for  stage-representation,  or  for  the  purpose  of 
fitting  it  for  a  place  in  the  First  Folio,  when  the  Editors 
had  resolved  to  change  the  position  of  Troihis  and  Cres- 
sida."^^  Perhaps  the  printing  of  Julius  Cccsar  was  com- 
menced before  that  of  Timon  was  finished. 

There  is  no  definite  evidence  of  an  older  play  on  the 
subject  that  could  have  been  the  original  of  Shake- 
speare's,! nor  are  the  inferior  portions  strikingly  sug- 
gestive of  the  style  of  the  old-fashioned  productions  super- 
seded by  Shakespeare's  revisions  or  recasts.  The  MS. 
play  entitled  ''  Timon,''  written  about  the  year  1600,  edited 
for  the  Shakespeare  Society  by  Dyce  in  1842,  was  in- 
tended solely  for  the  amusement  of  an  academic  audience, 
and  there  is  not  the  least  evidence  that  it  was  ever  seen 
by  Shakespeare.  I 

sion  {vide  Note).  The  speech  is  weak  enough  as  it  is  without 
adding  to  it  the  crowning  absurdity  of  making  the  soldier  first 
read  the  epitaph,  and  then  proceed  to  take  the  character  in  wax, 
because  he  cannot  read  it. 

*  Dr.  Nicholson  {Trans,  of  New  Shak.  Soc.  1874)  adduced  what 
he  considered  "  tolerably  decisive  proof  that  Timon  as  we  now 
have  it  was  an  acted  play  "  : — "  in  old  plays  the  entrance  directions 
are  sometimes  in  advance  of  the  real  entrances,  having  been  thus 
placed  in  the  theatre  copy,  that  the  performers  or  bringers-in  of 
stage-properties  might  be  warned  to  be  in  readiness  to  enter  on 
their  cue."  He  points  out  some  of  these  directions  in  the  present 
play  as  printed  in  the  Folio ;  but  his  case,  from  this  point  of  view, 
does  not  seem  strong. 

t  There  seems  to  be  no  foundation  for  Mr.  Simpson's  statement 
that  "  a  Timon  was,  at  the  date  of  the  Satiromastix,  in  the  pos- 
session of  Shakespeare's  Company "  {New  Shak.  Soc.,  1874,  p. 
252). 

X  Malone  pointed  out  that  there  is  a  scene  in  it  resembling 
Shakespeare's  banquet  given  by  Timon  to  his  flatterers.     Instead 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Preface 

Source  of  the  Plot.  A  passage  in  Plutarch's  Life  of 
Antojiius  (in  North's  Plutarch)  containing  a  short  ac- 
count of  Timon  may  have  attracted  Shakespeare  to  the 
subject  of  the  play.  Shakespeare  was  also  acquainted 
with  Paynter's  story  of  Timon,  in  ''  the  Palace  of  Pleas- 
ure.'' Other  versions  of  the  story  are  to  be  found  in 
Elizabethan  literature  {e.g.  the  account  of  Timon  in  Rich- 
ard Barckley's  Felicity  of  Man).  "  Critic  Timon  "  is  al- 
ready referred  to  by  Shakespeare  in  his  early  play  of 
Love's  Labour's  Lost. 

An  interesting  comparison  might  be  instituted  between 
the  present  play  and  Lucian's  Dialogue  on  Timon  ;  it  seems 
almost  certain  that  directly  or  indirectly  the  Dialogue  has 
exercised  considerable  influence  on  the  conception  of  the 
drama,  though  we  know  of  no  English  or  French  version 
of  Lucian's  work  that  Shakespeare  could  have  used ;  per- 
haps the  other  author  of  the  play  possessed  the  Greek  he 
lacked. 

Date  of  Composition.  Some  of  the  problems  connected 
with  the  composition  of  Timon  have  already  been  indi- 
cated. Internal  evidence  of  style  is  alone  available  for 
fixing  the  date  of  Shakespeare's  parts  of  the  play. 
Esthetic  and  metrical  considerations  would  place  it  after 
Hamlet — (Coleridge  describes  it  as  an  "  after-vibration  of 
Hamlet,"  but  the  vibration  is  rather  too  harsh  and  jarring) 
— and  before  the  opening  of  Shakespeare's  last  period,  i.e. 
about  the  same  time  as  Macbeth,  Othello,  and  Lear: 
Shakespeare's  satirical  drama  must  belong  to  the  period 
when,  "  as  the  stern  censurer  of  mankind,"  he  reached  his 
greatest  tragic  height ;  it  makes  one  happy  to  think  that 
the  pity  and  terror  of  tragedy  had  more  attractions  for 

of  warm  water,  he  sets  before  them  stones  painted  like  artichokes, 
and  afterwards  beats  them  out  of  the  room.  The  likeness  is  easily- 
accounted  for  by  identity  of  source.  The  last  line  of  the  Third 
Act,  with  its  mention  of  "stones,"  is  noteworthy,  seeing  that  in 
the  play  Timon  throws  the  water  ii  the  faces  of  the  guests  and 
nothing  is  said  about  his  pelting  them  with  stones.  The  stage- 
direction  is  not  found  in  the  Folios. 


Preface 


THE  LIFE  OF 


him  than  the  stern  severity  of  bitter  satire ;    he  probably 
found  the  theme  uncongenial  and  cast  it  aside : — 

"No. — /  am  that  I  am;  and  they  that  level 
At  my  abuses  reckon  up  their  own: 
I  may  be  straight,  though  they  themselves  be  bevel; 
By  their  rank  thoughts  my  deeds  must  not  be  shoivn; 
Unless  this  general  evil  they  maintain, — 
All  men  are  bad  and  in  their  badness  reign.'' 

(Sonnet  cxxi.) 

Duration  of  Action.  The  time  of  the  play  may  be 
taken  as  six  days  represented  on  the  stage,  with  one  long 
interval : — 

Day  I,  Act  I.  Sc.  i.,  ii.  Day  2,  Act  11.  Sc.  i.,  ii. ;  Act 
TIL  Sc.  i.-iii.  Day  3,  Act  III.\Sc.  iv.-vi. ;  Act  IV.  Sc.  i., 
ii.  Internal  Day  4,  Act  l\ .  Sc.  iii.  Day  5,  Act  V.  Sc. 
i.,  ii.     Day  6,  Act  V.  Sc.  iii..  iv. 


OpAin-NOt  OAVNOIOJ 

Er||cr/^H£AtKAHniOftft»r 

OAYNOIOt 


On  his  gravestone  thts  insetilpture  "  (V.  iv.  67). 
From  the  Elgin  Marbles. 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS 


Critical  Comments. 
I. 

Argument. 

I.  The  lavish  generosity  of  Timon,  a  great  lord  of 
Athens,  draws  to  him  a  throng  of  sycophants  and  hang- 
ers-on who  profit  by  his  careless  extravagance.  With  his 
frank,  cordial  nature  he  does  not  suspect  their  true  mis- 
sion, but  esteems  them  all  his  friends.  They  flatter  him 
assiduously,  and  he  showers  gifts  upon  them  or  doe.-; 
them  various  good  services.  He  gives  a  costly  banquet 
at  wdiich  the  favours  are  precious  stones.  The  reckless 
waste  is  a  matter  of  much  concern  to  his  steward,  who 
foresees  speedy  impoverishment. 

II.  Presently  Timon 's  creditors  begin  to  suspect  his 
true  financial  state  and  press  him  greatly  with  bills.  The 
steward  at  last  succeeds  in  acquainting  his  master  with 
his  bankrupt  condition.  Timon  is  thunderstruck,  but 
consoles  himself  with  the  thought  that  he  can  draw  upon 
all  the  men  to  whom  he  has  been  liberal  in  time  past.  He 
therefore  despatches  his  servants  to  request  from  them 
loans. 

III.  The  false  friends  desert  him  in  his  hour  of  need; 
nor  will  they  advance  him  money.  Instead  they  make 
specious  excuses  and  even  go  so  far  as  to  importune  him 
in  turn  for  certain  sums.  Timon's  eyes  are  opened  to 
their  ingratitude  and  un worthiness.  To  express  his  con- 
tempt he  gives  a  final  feast,  at  which  nothing  is  set  forth 
but  warm  water.  While  uttering  the  bitterest  reproaches 
he  dashes  the  water  in  their  faces,  and  ends  by  throwing 

7 


Comments  THE  LIFE  OF 

the  dishes  at  them  and  driving  them  out  of  the  banquet- 
ing-room. 

IV.  Timon  now  abjures  the  society  of  all  mankind, 
and  seeks  refuge  in  a  cave  in  the  woods  outside  the  city, 
where  he  subsists  upon  the  roots  of  the  earth.  In  dig- 
ging them  he  discovers  a  hidden  treasure  of  gold,  but 
takes  no  pleasure  in  it,  for  it  brings  him  only  heavy  recol- 
lections of  his  folly.  He  bestows  a  portion  of  the  gold 
upon  Alcibiades,  a  former  friend  of  his  who  honestly 
desires  to  aid  him,  and  who  is  now  marching  against 
Athens  to  humiliate  that  city  for  its  unjust  banishment  of 
him.  Though  Timon  wishes  Alcibiades  success,  it  is  not 
because  he  is  reconciled  with  him,  but  because  he  desires 
the  punishment  of  Athens.  The  only  man  whom  the 
misanthrope  will  acknowledge  to  be  honest  is  his  faithful 
steward,  who  seeks  him  out  and  remains  true  to  him  in 
adversity.  Upon  him  Timon  bestows  a  liberal  gift  of  the 
treasure,  enjoining  him  never  to  come  within  his  sight 
again. 

V.  The  near  approach  of  Alcibiades  to  Athens  causes 
the  senators  to  bethink  themselves  of  the  neglected  Timon. 
They  visit  him  in  the  forest  to  pray  his  aid,  promising  a 
restoration  of  fortune  and  honour.  But  Timon  greets 
their  advances  with  taunts  and  curses.  They  return 
bootless  to  the  city,  which  they  are  shortly  after  forced  to 
surrender  to  Alcibiades.  While  the  conqueror  is  singling 
out  his  own  and  Timon's  enemies  for  punishment,  he  re- 
ceives word  that  Timon  is  dead  within  his  forest  cave. 

McSpadden  :  Shakespearian  Synopses. 

II. 

Timion. 

It  marks  an  approach  to  hardness  and  formalism  in 
Shakespeare's  conception  of  character  that  his  Timon  is 
adequately  summed  up  in  the  label  he  adopts :  "  I  am 

8 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Comments 

Misanthropes,  and  hate  mankind."  Lear  is  on  the  whole 
his  nearest  Shakespearean  analogue.  The  sting  of  in- 
gratitude is  the  common  provocation  of  both  ;  and  in  both 
its  maddening  effect  is  enhanced  by  naive  ignorance  of 
men  and  equally  naive  exaggeration  of  their  own  claims. 
Both  are  simple  natures,  finely  gifted,  but  quite  without 
subtlety  and  penetration  ;  a  single  shock  throws  them  off 
their  balance.  But  Lear  is  testy,  self-indulgent,  arrogant 
and  exacting  from  the  first ;  while  Timon  is  quixotically 
generous,  and  thinks  his  honour  concerned  to  give  more 
than  is  asked,  and  to  repay  tenfold  what  he  receives. 
Lear's  most  imperious  ethical  instinct  is  that  of  the  primi- 
tive Northern  tribe — the  duty  of  children  to  parent;  Ti- 
mon's  is  that  of  the  philosophic  schools  and  society  of 
Athens — the  duty  of  friend  to  friend.  ...  In  the 
Athens  of  Timon  this  noble  communism  is  as  dead  as  the 
duty  of  children  in  the  heart  of  Regan.  His  disillusion, 
as  terrible  as  Lear's,  and  far  nearer,  in  kind,  to  common 
experience,  is  far  less  real,  and  is  worked  out  with  gravely 
diminished  dramatic  resource.  His  monologues,  close 
packed,  knotty  with  phrase,  but  unbroken  in  their  sombre 
monotony,  take  the  place  of  the  wonderfully  varied  and 
modulated  temper  of  Lear.  His  anger  pursues  its  way 
like  a  torrent  without  pause  or  change.  It  is  more  pene- 
trated than  Lear's  with  the  hunger  for  moral  retribution, 
and  the  discovery  of  the  gold  puts  the  instrument  of  it  in 
his  grasp — the 

damned  earth, 
Thou  common  whore  of  mankind,  that  put'st  odds 
Among  the  rout  of  nations,  I  will  make  thee 
Do  thy  right  nature. 

Of  Timon 's  series  of  vindictive  encounters  before  his 
cave,  little  but  the  idea  is  probably  ultimately  due  to  Lu- 
cian.  The  poet  may  be  foreshadowed  in  Gnathonides, 
the  envoys  of  repentant  Athens  in  Demeas.  But  Flavins, 
the  one  honest  man,  is  Shakespeare's  characteristic  cre- 
ation, and  in  Apemantus  and  .\lc:biades  he  adapted  to  the 

9 


Comments  THE  LIFE  OF 

scheme  of  Lucian  the  suggestive  hints  of  Pkitarch.  In 
J  Autarch  both  figure  only  as  the  companions  of  Timon's 
misanthropic  days,  the  one  his  fellow  cynic,  the  other  his 
destined  avenger  upon  Athens.  Shakespeare  introduced 
both  into  the  picture  of  Timon's  prodigal  festivities.  The 
misanthrope  by  nature  was  thus  set  in  sharp  contrast  with 
the  misanthrope  by  disillusion,  and  the  ground  was  laid 
for  their  encounter  in  the  second  part  (IV.  iii.  198  et  scq.) 
with  its  profoundly  imagined  discrimination  between  the 
set  hatred  grounded  in  habit  and  creed  and  that  kindled 
by  fresh  conviction,  the  misanthropy  which  is  a  form  of 
intellectual  self-indulgence,  and  that  which  is  goaded  with 
poignant  memories. 

Herfokd  :  The  Evcrslcy  Shakespeare. 

III. 

Timon  and  Shakespeare. 

With  few  exceptions,  those  portions  of  the  play  in 
which  Timon  is  the  speaker  can  have  come  from  no  other 
hand  than  that  of  Shakspere.  If  such  conjectures  were 
allowed  to  possess  any  worth,  one  might  venture  to  as- 
sert that  by  the  time  this  play  was  written,  Shakspere  had 
mastered  the  impulses  within  himself  to  mere  rage  against 
the  evil  that  is  in  the  world.  The  impression  which  the 
play  leaves  is  that  of  Shakspere's  sanity.  He  could  now 
so  fully  and  fearlessly  enter  into  Timon's  mood,  because 
he  was  now  past  all  danger  of  Timon's  malady.  He  had 
now  learned  to  strive  with  evil  and  to  subdue  it ;  he  had 
now  learned  to  forgive.  And  therefore  he  could  dare  to 
utter  that  wrath  against  mankind  to  which  he  had  as- 
suredly been  tempted,  but  to  which  he  had  never  wholly 
yielded. 

It  would  seem  that  about  this  period  Shakspere's  mind 
was  much  occupied  with  the  questions,  In  what  temper 
are  we  to  receive  the  injuries  inflicted  upon  us  by  our 
fellow   men?     How  are   we   to  bear  ourselves  towards 

10 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Comments 

those  that  wrong  us?  How  shall  we  secure  our  inward 
being  from  chaos  amid  the  evils  of  the  world  ?  How  shall 
we  attain  to  the  most  just  and  noble  attitude  of  soul  in 
which  life  and  the  injuries  of  life  may  be  confronted? 
Now,  here  in  Timon  we  see  one  way  in  which  a  man  may 
make  his  response  to  the  injuries  of  life ;  he  may  turn 
upon  the  world  with  a  fruitless  and  suicidal  rage.  Shak- 
spere  was  interested  in  the  history  of  Timon,  not  merely 
as  a  dramatic  study,  and  not  merely  for  the  sake  of  moral 
edification,  but  because  he  recognized  in  the  Athenian 
misanthrope  one  whom  he  had  known,  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance, the  Timon  of  Shakspere's  own  breast.  Shall 
we  hesitate  to  admit  that  there  was  such  a  Timon  in  the 
breast  of  Shakspere?  We  are  accustomed  to  speak  of 
Shakspere's  gentleness  and  Shakspere's  tolerance  so 
foolishly  that  we  find  it  easier  to  conceive  of  Shak- 
spere as  indulgent  towards  baseness  and  wickedness 
than  as  feeling  measureless  rage  and  indignation  against 
them — rage  and  indignation  which  would  sometimes 
flash  beyond  their  bounds  and  strike  at  the  whole  wicked 
race  of  man.  And  it  is  certain  that  Shakspere's  de- 
light in  human  character,  his  quick  and  penetrating  sym- 
pathy with  almost  every  variety  of  man,  saved  him  from 
any  persistent  injustice  towards  the  world.  But  it  can 
hardly  be  doubted  that  the  creator  of  Hamlet,  of  Lear, 
of  Timon,  saw  clearly,  and  felt  deeply,  that  there  is  a 
darker  side  to  the  world  and  to  the  soul  of  man. 

The  Shakspere  invariably  bright,  gentle,  and  genial  is 
the  Shakspere  of  a  myth.  The  man  actually  discoverable 
behind  the  plays  was  a  man  tempted  to  passionate  ex- 
tremes, but  of  strenuous  will,  and  whose  highest  self  pro- 
nounced in  favor  of  sanity.  Therefore  he  resolved  that 
he  would  set  to  rights  his  material  life,  and  he  did  so. 
And,  again,  he  resolved  that  he  would  bring  into  harmony 
with  the  highest  facts  and  laws  of  the  world  his  spiritual 
being,  and  that  in  his  own  high  fashion  he  accomplished 
also.  The  plays  impress  us  as  a  long  study  of  self- 
control — of  self-control  at  one  with  self-surrender  to  the 

II 


Comments  THE  LIFE  OF 

highest  facts  and  laws  of  human  hfe.  Shakspere  set 
about  attainmg  self-mastery,  not  of  the  petty,  pedantic 
kind,  which  can  be  dictated  by  a  director  or  described  in 
a  manual,  but  large,  powerful,  luminous,  and  calm ;  and 
by  sustained  effort  he  succeeded  in  attaining  this  in  the 
end.  It  is* impossible  to  conceive  that  Shakspere  should 
have  traversed  life,  and  felt  its  insufficiencies  and  injuries 
and  griefs,  without  incurring  Timon's  temptation — the 
temptation  to  fierce  and  barren  resentment. 

DowDEN :  Shakspere. 

IV. 

Alcibiades. 

The  whole  conduct  of  Alcibiades  forms  a  complete 
parallel  to  that  of  Coriolanus,  and  here  again  the  con- 
nection between  the  two  plays  is  obvious.  Shakespeare 
found  a  brief  account  of  the  mutual  relations  of  Timon 
and  Alcibiades  in  North's  translation  of  Plutarch's  Life 
of  Antony,  together  with  a  description  of  Timon's  good- 
will towards  the  general  on  account  of  the  calamities  that 
he  foresaw  he  w^ould  bring  upon  the  Athenians.  The 
name  of  Alcibiades  would  not  recall  to  Shakespeare,  as  it 
does  to  us,  the  most  glorious  period  of  Greek  culture,  and 
such  names  as  Pericles,  Aristophanes,  and  Plato — he  gen- 
erally gives  Latin  names  to  his  .Greeks,  such  as  Lucius, 
Flavins,  Servilius,  etc. ;  nor  did  it  represent  to  him  the 
unrivalled  subtlety,  charm,  instability,  and  reckless  ex- 
travagance of  the  man.  He  would  read  Plutarch's  com- 
parison of  Alcibiades  and  Coriolanus,  in  which  the  Greek 
and  Roman  generals  are  considered  homogeneous,  and 
for  Shakespeare  Alcibiades  was  merely  the  soldier  and 
commander ;  on  that  account  he  let  him  occupy  much  the 
same  relation  to  Timon  that  Fortinbras  did  to  Hamlet. 

Where  Timon  merely  hates,  Alcibiades  seizes  his 
weapons ;  and  when  Timon  curses  indiscriminately,  Alci- 
biades punishes  severely  but  deliberately.     He  does  not 

12 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Comments 

tear  down  the  city  walls  and  put  every  tenth  citizen  to  the 
sword,  as  he  is  invited  to  do ;  he  only  seeks  vengeance  on 
his  personal  enemies  and  those  whom  he  considers  guilty. 
Brandes  :  Williain  Shakespeare. 

V. 

Apemantus. 

The  character  of  Apemantus  seems  designed,  in  part, 
on  purpose  to  illustrate  the  difference  between  the  intense 
hearty  misanthropy  of  Timon  and  the  low  vulgar  cynicism 
of  an  outworn  profligate  or  superannuated  debauchee. 
For  in  Apem.antus  we  have  a  specimen  cf  the  cynic  proper, 
who  finds  his  pastime  in  a  sort  of  scowLng  buffoonery  and 
malignant  slang ;  at  first  setting  himself  to  practise  the 
arts  of  a  snarling  scorner  of  men,  because  this  feeds  his 
distempered  conceit ;  and  then  by  dint  of  such  exercise 
gradually  working  himself  up  into  a  corresponding  pas- 
sion. For  it  is  easy  to  see  that  the  cynicism  which  now 
forms  his  character  originated  in  sheer  affectation.  Ti- 
mon justly  despises  the  sincere  cant  of  one  who  thus 
drives  contempt  of  mankind  as  a  trade ;  for  he  knows  it 
to  be  the  offspring  of  disappointed  vanity,  seeking  to  in- 
demnify its  own  baseness  by  making  reprisals  on  others. 
He  sees  that  Apemantus  never  had  in  himself  a  single 
touch  of  the  goodness,  the  alleged  want  of  which  he  so 
much  delights  to  bark  at ;  and  that  his  superiority  to  the 
common  passions  of  men  is  all  because  he  has  not  virtue 
enough  left  to  vicious. 

Hudson  :  The  Works  of  Shakespeare. 

VI. 
Flavius. 

An  exception  to  this  general  picture  of  selfish  depravity 
is  found  in  the  old  and  honest  steward  Flavius,  to  whom 
Timon   pays   a   full   tribute   of  tenderness,     Shakespear 

13  ' 


Comments  THE  LIFE  OF 

was  unwilling  to  draw  a  picture  "  ugly  all  over  zcith 
hypocrisy.''  He  owed  this  character  to  the  good-natured 
solicitations  of  his  Aluse.  His  mind  might  well  have 
been  said  to  be  the  "  sphere  of  humanity." 

Hazlitt  :  Characters  of  Shakespcar's  Plays. 


Opposed  to  this  friendship  of  semblance  and  falsehood, 
stands  the  true  and  warm  affection  of  Timon's  household, 
especially  that  of  his  steward  Flavins,  whom  Timon  de- 
clares the  only  honest  man.  In  an  over-civilized,  morally 
corrupt  state,  where  the  senators  are  usurers,  where  the 
people  abandon  themselves  to  luxury  and  gluttony,  and 
banish  the  more  virtuous  or  leave  them  to  perish  from 
neglect,  and  where  the  army,  accompanied  by  courtesans, 
takes  up  arms  against  its  own  country,  the  little  of  virtue 
and  morahty  that  is  left  takes  refuge  in  the  lowest  orders. 
Ulrici  :  Shakspcare's  Dramatic  Art. 

VII.  ♦ 

BlanKness  of  Feature. 

The  want  of  individualisation  of  numerous  persons  in 
the  play,  named  and  unnamed,  is  a  cause  of  apparent  in- 
feriority and  infirmity;  the  forms  of  shabbiness  are 
varied  among  the  false  friends,  but  not  appropriated. 
Shabby  tricks  to  save  their  money,  and  shabby  means  of 
"obtaining  it,  do  not  suffice  alone  to  mark  out  one  mean 
man  from  another  by  absolute  and  necessary  indication. 
Certainly  it  may  be  said  t^iat  this  blankness  has  some 
propriety  in  marking  the  herd  as  a  herd  ;  and  accordingly, 
the  omission  of  the  names  of  individual  friends  at  the 
last  banquet  of  warm  and  steaming  water,  is  quite  con- 
sistent with  the  rest;  but  the  play  in  which  blankness  of 
feature  is  so  largely  required  or  admissible,  will  lose  in 
dignity,  though  it  must  be  admitted  that  some  of  the 
scenes  thus  carried  on  between  generic  rather  than  indi- 

14 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Comments 

vidual  personations — for  instance,  the  opening  dialogue  of 
the  Poet  and  the  Painter,  have  all  the  appearance  of  being, 
from  the  first  word  to  the  last,  entirely  Shakespeare's. 
Lloyd  :  Critical  Essays  on  the  Plays  of  Shakespeare. 

VIII. 
The  Non=Shakespearian  Elements. 

We  must  now,  with  a  view  to  defining  the  non-S*hake- 
spearian  elements  of  the  play,  devote  some  attention  to  its 
dual  authorship.  In  the  first  act  it  is  particularly  the 
prose  dialogues  between  Apemantus  and  others  which 
seem  unworthy  of  Shakespeare.  The  repartee  is  laconic 
but  laboured — not  always  witty,  though  invariably  bitter 
and  disdainful.  The  style  somewhat  resembles  that  of 
the  colloquies  between  Diogenes  and  Alexander  in 
Lyly's  Alexander  and  Campaspe.  The  first  of  Apeman- 
tus's  conversations  might  have  been  written  by  Shake- 
speare— it  seems  to  have  some  sort  of  continuity  wath  the 
utterances  of  Thersites  in  Troliiis  and  Cressida — but  the 
second  has  every  appearance  of  being  either  an  interpo- 
lation by  a  strange  hand,  or  a  scene  which  Shakespeare 
had  forgotten  to  score  out.  Flavius's  monologue  (I.  ii.) 
never  came  from  Shakespeare's  pen  in  this  form.  Its 
marked  contrast  to  the  rest  shows  that  it  might  be  the 
outcome  of  notes  taken  by  some  blundering  shorthand 
writer  among  the  audience. 

The  long  conversation,  in  the  second  act,  between  Ape- 
mantus, the  Fool,  Caphis,  and  various  servants,  was,  in 
all  probability  w^ritten  by  an  alien  hand.  It  contains 
nothing  but  idle  chatter  devised  to  amuse  the  gallery,  and 
it  introduces  characters  who  seem  about  to  take  some 
standing  in  the  play,  but  who  vanish  immediately,  leav- 
ing no  trace.  A  Page  comes  with  messages  and  letters 
from  the  mistress  of  a  brothel,  to  which  the  Fool  appears 
to  belong,  but  w^e  are  told  nothing  of  the  contents  of  these 
letters,  whose  addresses  the  bearer  is  unable  to  read. 

15 


Comments  THE  LIFE  OF 

In  the  third  act  there  is  much  that  is  feeble  and  irrele- 
vant, together  with  an  aimless  unrest  which  incessantly 
pervades  the  stage.  It  is  not  until  the  banqueting  scene 
towards  the  end  of  the  act  that  Shakespeare  makes  his 
presence  felt  in  the  storm  which  bursts  from  Timon's  lips. 
The  powerful  fourth  act  displays  Shakespeare  at  his  best 
and  strongest ;  there  is  very  little  here  which  could  be 
attributed  to  alien  sources.  I  cannot  understand  the  de- 
cision with  which  English  critics  (including  a  poet  like 
Tennvson)  have  condemned  as  spurious  Flavius's  mono- 
logue at  the  close  of  the  second  scene.  Its  drift  is  that 
of  the  speech  in  the  following  scene,  in  which  he  ex- 
presses the  wdiole  spirit  of  the  play  in  one  line :  "  What 
viler  things  upon  the  earth  than  friends !  "  Although 
there  is  evidently  some  confusion  in  the  third  scene  (for 
example,  the  intimation  of  the  Poet's  and  Painter's  ap- 
pearance long  before  they  really  arrive),  I  cannot  agree 
with  Fleay  that  Shakespeare  had  no  share  in  the  passage 
contained  between  the  lines,  "  \\diere  liest  o'  nights,  Ti- 
mon?  "   and   "  Thou  art  the  cap  of  all  the  fools  aHve." 

One  speech  in  particular  betrays  the  master-hand.  It 
is  that  in  which  Timon  expresses  the  wish  that  Apeman- 
tus's  desire  to  become  a  beast  among  beasts  mav  be  ful- 
filled :— 

"  If  thou  wert  the  lion,  the  fox  would  beguile  thee :  if  thou 
wert  the  lamb,  the  fox  would  eat  thee :  if  thou  wert  the  fox,  the 
lion  would  suspect  thee  when,  peradventure,  thou  wert  accused 
by  the  ass:  if  thou  wert  the  ass,  thy  dulness  would  torment  thee: 
and  still  thou  livedst  but  as  a  breakfast  to  the  wolf:  if  thou  wert 
the  wolf,  thy  greediness  would  afflict  thee,  and  oft  thou  shouldst 
hazard  thy  life  for  thy  dinner." 

There  is  as  much  knowledge  of  life  here  as  in  a  con- 
cei^rated  essence  of  all  Lafontaine's  fables. 

The  last  scenes  of  the  fifth  act  were  evidently  never 
revised  by  Shakespeare.  It  is  a  comical  incou'^ruitv  that 
makes  the  soldier  who,  we  are  expressly  told,  is  unable  to 
read,  capable  of  distinguishiu'^  Timon's  tomb,  and  even 

i6 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Comments 

of  having  the  forethought  to  take  a  wax  impression  of  the 
words.  There  is  also  an  amalgamation  of  the  two  con- 
tradictory inscriptions,  of  which  the  first  tells  us  that  the 
dead  man  wishes  to  remain  nameless  and  unknown,  while 
the  last  two  lines  begin  with  the  declaration,  ''  Here  lie  I, 
Timon."  Notwithstanding  the  shocking  condition  of  the 
text,  the  repeatedly  pccurring  confusion  of  the  action,  and 
the  evident  marks  of  an  alien  hand,  Shakespeare's  leading 
idea  and  dominant  purpose  is  never  for  a  moment  ob- 
scured. Much  in  Tlinon  reminds  us  of  King  Lear,  the 
injudiciously  distributed  benefits  and  the  ingratitude  of 
their  recipients  are  the  same,  but  in  the  former  the  bitter- 
ness and  virulence  are  tenfold  greater,  and  the  genius  in- 
contestably  less.  Lear  is  supported  in  his  misfortunes  by 
the  brave  and  manly  Kent,  the  faithful  Fool,  that  truest 
of  all  true  hearts,  Cordelia,  her  husband,  the  valiant  King 
of  France.  There  is  but  one  who  remains  faithful  to 
Timon,  a  servant,  which  in  those  days  meant  a  slave, 
whose  self-sacrificing  devotion  forces  his  master,  sorely 
against  his  will,  to  except  one  man  from  his  universal  vi- 
tuperation. In  his  own  class  he  does  not  meet  with  a 
single  honestly  devoted  heart,  either  man's  or  woman's ; 
he  has  no  daughter,  as  Lear ;  no  mother,  as  Coriolanus ; 
no  friend,  not  one. 

Brandes  :  William  Shakespeare. 

IX. 

Consensus  of  Critics, 

Timon  of  Athens,  of  all  the  works  of  Shakspeare,  pos- 
sesses most  the  character  of  satire :  a  laughing  satire  in 
the  picture  of  the  parasites  and  flatterers,  and  Juvenalian 
in  the  bitterness  of  Timon's  imprecations  on  the  ingrati- 
tude of  a  false  world.  The  story  is  very  simply  treated, 
and  is  definitely  divided  into  large  masses :  in  the  first 
act,  the  joyous  life  of  Timon,  his  noble  and  hospitable 
extravagance,  and  around  him  the  throng  of  suitors  of 

17 


Comments  THE  LIFE  OF 

every  description  ;  in  the  second  and  third  acts,  his  em- 
barrassment, and  the  trial  which  he  is  thereby  reduced  to 
make  of  his  supposed  friends,  who  all  desert  him  in  the 
hour  of  need  ;  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  acts,  Timon's  flight 
to  the  woods,  his  misanthropical  melancholy,  and  his 
death.  The  only  thing  which  may  be  called  an  episode  is 
the  banishment  of  Alcibiades,  and  his*  return  by  force  of 
arms.  However,  they  are  both  examples  of  ingratitude 
— the  one  of  a  state  towards  its  defender,  and  the  other 
of  private  friends  to  their  benefactor.  As  the  merits  of  the 
general  towards  his  fellow  citizens  suppose  more  strength 
of  character  than  those  of  the  generous  prodigal,  their 
respective  behaviours  are  not  less  different ;  Timon  frets 
himself  to  death,  Alcibiades  regains  his  lost  dignity  by 
force.  If  the  poet  very  properly  sides  with  Timon  against 
the  common  practice  of  the  world,  he  is,  on  the  other 
hand,  by  no  means  disposed  to  spare  Timon.  Timon  was 
a  fool  in  his  generosity ;  in  his  discontent  he  is  a  mad- 
man :  he  is  everywhere  wanting  in  the  wisdom  which 
enables  a  man  in  all  things  to  observe  the  due  measure. 
Although  the  truth  of  his  extravagant  feelings  is  proved 
by  his  death,  and  though  when  he  digs  up  a  treasure  he 
spurns  the  wealth  which  seems  to  tempt  him,  we  yet  see 
distinctly  enough  that  the  vanity  of  wishing  to  be  sin- 
gular, in  both  the  parts  that  he  plays,  had  some  share  in 
his  liberal  self-forgetfulness,  as  well  as  in  his  anchoritical 
seclusion. 
Schlegel:  Lectures  on  Dramatic  Art  and  Literature. 


Timon  of  Athens  is  one  of  Shakspeare's  most  remark- 
able pieces,  and  in  many  respects  is  a  problem  that  has 
given  editors,  interpreters,  and  critics  much  to  puzzle  their 
brains  with,  which  has  nevertheless  not,  by  any  means,  as 
yet  been  satisfactorily  solved.  In  the  first  place  the  rep- 
resentation suffers  from  a  striking  want  of  equality  ;  some 
portions  have  evidently  been  worked  out  with  pleasure 
and  care,  others,  on  the  contrary,  have  been  so  carelessly 

i8 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Comments 

thrown  off,  and  connected  in  so  loose  and  disjointed  a 
manner,  that  they  are  not  only  wanting  in  strict  coherence, 
but  even  contradictions  have  crept  in.  It  is  much  the 
same  as  regards  the  delineation  of  the  characters ;  several 
of  the  personages,  especially  Timon  himself,  are  described 
minutely  and  thoroughly  in  Shakespeare's  usual  masterly 
style,  others  are  mere  sketches  drawn  with  a  few  touches, 
and  other  again,  mere  representatives  of  whole  classes  of 
men.  Lastly,  similar  contradictions  pervade  the  diction : 
by  the  side  of  lines  which,  in  structure,  rhythm,  and  lin- 
guistic character  entirely  resemble  the  treatmnt  of  the 
blank  verse  of  Shakspeare's  later  pieces,  we  find  a  loose 
and  careless  prose,  unconnected,  bounding  transitions 
from  the  one  form  of  language  to  the  other,  passages  of 
which  it  cannot  be  determined  whether  they  are  intended 
to  be  verse  or  prose;  we  also  find  rhyming  couplets  in 
places  where  Shakspeare  does  not  generally  employ  them. 
Ulrici  :  Shakspeare's  Dramatic  Art. 


The  play  is  one  of  the  less  celebrated  and  less  attract- 
ive among  Shakespeare's  works.  The  theme  itself  is  not 
the  most  enticing,  and  its  treatment  must  be  pronounced 
to  be  in  many  respects  unsatisfactory.  The  inequality  of 
the  execution  will  be  acknowledged  by  every  careful 
reader.  Some  parts  are  wrought  out  with  great  skill  and 
completeness ;  others  are  hastily  and  rudely  sketched, 
while  certain  necessary  links  seem  to  be  omitted  alto- 
gether. The  versification  is  often  a  mystery,  and  the 
prose  frequently  appears  to  be  written  with  exceeding 
carelessness.  But  the  main  characteristic  of  the  play  is 
the  dark  colouring  in  which  it  portrays  social  life.  Its 
speech  is  steeped  in  bitterness ;  it  contains  the  most  vin- 
dictive utterances  against  mankind  to  be  found  in  Shake- 
speare. A  noble,  generous  character  is  victimized  to  the 
last  degree,  and  driven  forward  to  suicide.  Unselfish- 
ness apparently  becomes  tragic  in  a  selfish  world.  Still, 
the  other  side  is  not  neglected ;   this  very  unselfishness  is 

19 


Comments 

seen  to  be  at  bottom  selfish.     Timon  is  guilty,  and  has  to 
take  the  consequence  of  his  deed.     He  turns  misanthrope, 
full  of  vehement  sarcasm  and  red-hot  imprecation.     The 
latter  part  of  the  play,  in  particular,  is  a  bath  of  gall. 
Snider  :  The  Shakespearian  Drama. 


The  play  of  Timon  is  a  domestic  tragedy,  and  therefore 
strongly  fastens  on  the  attention  of  the  reader.  In  the 
plan  there  is  not  much  art,  but  the  incidents  are  natural, 
and  the  characters  various  and  exact.  The  catastrophe 
affords  a  very  powerful  warning  against  that  ostentatious 
liberality,  which  scatters  bounty,  but  confers  no  benefits, 
and  buys  flattery,  but  not  friendship.  In  this  tragedy,  are 
many  passages  perplexed,  obscure,  and  probably  corrupt, 
which  I  have  endeavoured  to  rectify,  or  explain,  with  due 
diligence;  but,  having  only  one  copy,  cannot  promise 
myself  that  my  endeavours  shall  be  much  applauded. 
Johnson  :  General  Observations  on  Shakspeare's  Plays. 


Timon  of  Athens  always  appeared  to  us  to  be  written 
with  as  intense  a  feeling  of  his  subject  as  any  one  play  of 
Shakespear.  It  is  one  of  the  few  in  which  he  seems  to 
be  in  earnest  throughout,  never  to  trifle  nor  go  out  of  his 
way.  He  does  not  relax  in  his  efforts,  nor  lose  sight  of 
the  unity  of  his  design.  It  is  the  only  play  of  our  author 
in  which  spleen  is  the  predominant  feeling  of  the  mind. 
It  is  as  much  a  satire  as  a  play :  and  contains  some  of  the 
finest  pieces  of -invective  possible  to  be  conceived,  both  in 
the  snarling,  captious  answers  of  the  cynic  Apemantus, 
and  in  the  impassioned  and  more  terrible  imprecations  of 
Timon. 

Hazlitt  :  Characters  of  Shakespear' s  Plays. 


20 


The  Life  of 
Timon  of  Athens. 


DRAMATIS   PERSONAE. 

TiMON,  a  noble  Athenian. 

Lucius,  "| 

LucuLLUS,       y  nattering  lords. 

Sempronius,  J 

Ventidius,  one  of  Timon's  false  friends. 

Alcibiades,  an  Athenian  captain. 

Apemantus,  a  churlish  philosopher. 

Flavius,  steward  to  Tim  on. 

Poet,  Painter,  Jeweller   and  Merchant. 

An  Old  Athenian. 

Flaminius,  ^ 

LuciLius,        y  servants  to  Timon. 

Servilius,     J 

Caphis,  ^ 

Philotus,        I 

Titus  i  servants  to  Timon's  creditors  and  to  thi 

Hortensius,  ^''^'' 

And  others, 

A  Page.     A  Fool.     Three  Strangers. 


iYNIA,      1^ 
[ANDRA,    ) 


Phrynia, 

rj.  r  mistresses  to  Alcibiades. 

TiMi 


Cupid  and  Amazons  in  the  mask. 

Other  Lords,  Senators,  Officers,  Banditti,  and  Attendants. 

Scene:     Athens,  and  the  neighbouring  woods. 


The  Life  of 

TIMON  OF  ATHENS. 

ACT  FIRST. 
Scene  I. 

Athens.    A  hall  in  Timon's  house. 

Enter  Poet,  Painter,  Jeweller,  Merchant,  and  others, 
at  several  doors. 

Poet.  Good  day,  sir. 

Pain.  I  am  glad  you  're  well. 

Poet.  I  have  not  seen  you  long :  how  goes  the  world  ? 

Pain.  It  wears,  sir,  as  it  grows. 

Poet.  Ay,  that 's  well  known  : 

But  what  particular  rarity  ?  what  strange, 
Which  manifold  record  not  matches?     See, 
Magic  of  bounty !   all  these  spirits  thy  power 
Hath  conjured  to  attend.    I  know  the  merchant. 

Pain.  I  know  them  both  ;  th'  other  's  a  jeweller. 

Mer.  O,  'tis  a  worthy  lord ! 

Jew.  Nay,  that 's  most  fix'd. 

Mer.  A  most  incomparable  man,  breathed,  as  it  were,     lo 
To  an  untirable  and  continuate  goodness : 
He  passes. 

Jezv.  I  have  a  jewel  here — 

Mer.  O,  pray,  let 's  see  't :   for  the  Lord  Timon,  sir  ? 

Jezv.  If  he  will  touch  the  estimate  :  but,  for  that — 

Po^t.    [Reciting  to  himself]   '  When   we    for    recompense 
have  praised  the  vile, 

31 


Act  I.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

It  stains  the  glory  in  that  happy  verse 
Which  aptly  sings  the  good.' 

Mer.    [Looking  on  the  jczcci]        'Tis  a  good  form. 

Jew.  And  rich  :  here  is  a  water,  look  ye. 

Pain.  You  are  rapt,  sir,  in  some  work,  some  dedication 
To  the  great  lord. 

Poet.  A  thing  slipp'd  idly  from  me.       20 

Our  poesy  is  as  a  gum,  which  oozes 
From  whence  'tis  noupish'd  :  the  fire  i'  the  flint 
Shows  not  till  it  be  struck ;  our  gentle  flame 
Provokes  itself,  and,  like  the  current,  flies 
Each  bound  it  chafes,    \\diat  have  you  there? 

Pain.  A  picture,  sir.    When  comes  your  book  forth  ? 

Poet.  Upon  the  heels  of  my  presentment,  sir. 
Let 's  see  your  piece. 

Pain.  'Tis  a  good  piece. 

Poet.  So  'tis  :  this  comes  off  well  and  excellent. 

Pain.   Indifferent. 

Poet.  Admirable  :  how  this  grace  30 

Speaks  his  own  standing !   what  a  mental  power 
This  eye  shoots  forth  !  how  big  imagination 
Moves  in  this  lip !  to  the  dumbness  of  the  gesture 
One  might  interpret. 

Pain.   It  is  a  pretty  mocking  of  the  life. 
Here  is  a  touch  ;  is  't  good  ? 

Poet.  I  will  say  of  it, 

It  tutors  nature  :  artificial  strife 
Lives  in  these  touches,  livelier  than  life. 

Enter  certain  Senators,  and  pass  over. 

Pain.  How  this  lord  is  follow'd  ! 

Poet,  The  senators  of  Athens  :   happy  man  !  40 

24 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  i. 

Paiti.  Look,  moe ! 

Poet.  You  see  this  confluence,  this  great  flood  of  visitors. 
I  have,  in  this  rough  work,  shaped  out  a  man. 
Whom  this  beneath  world  doth  embrace  and  hug 
With  amplest  entertainment :  my  free  drift 
Halts  not  particularly,  but  moves  itself 
In  a  wide  sea  of  wax  :  no  levell'd  malice 
Infects  one  comma  in  the  course  I  hold ; 
But  flies  an  eagle  flight,  bold  and  forth  on, 
Leaving  no  tract  behind.  50 

Pain.   How  sliall  I  understand  you  ? 

Poet.  I  will  unbolt  to  you. 

You  see  how  all  conditions,  how  all  minds, 
As  well  of  glib  and  slippery  creatures  as 
Of  grave  and  austere  quality,  tender  down 
Their  services  to  Lord  Timon  :  his  large  fortune, 
L^pon  his  good  and  gracious  nature  hanging, 
Subdues  and  properties  to  his  love  and  tendance 
All  sorts  of  hearts  ;  yea,  from  the  glass-faced  flatterer 
To  Apemantus,  that  few  things  loves  better 
Than  to  abhor  himself  :  even  he  drops  down  60 

The  knee  before  him,  and  returns  in  peace 
Most  rich  in  Timon 's  nod. 

Pain.  I  saw  them  speak  together. 

Poet.  Sir,  I  have  upon  a  high  and  pleasant  hill 

Feign'd  Fortune  to  be  throned  :  the  base  o'  the  mount 

Is  rank'd  with  all  deserts,  all  kind  of  natures, 

That  labour  on  the  bosom  of  this  sphere 

To  propagate  their  states  :  amongst  them  all, 

Whose  eyes  are  on  this  sovereign  lady  fix'd, 

One  do  I  personate  of  Lord  Timon 's  frame. 

Whom  Fortune  with  her  ivorv  hand  wafts  to  her ;  70 


Act  I.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Whose  present  grace  to  present  slaves  and  servants 
Translates  his  rivals. 

Pain.  'Tis  conceived  to  scope. 

This  throne,  this  Fortune,  and  this  hill,  methinks, 
With  one  man  beckon'd  from  the  rest  below. 
Bowing  his  head  against  the  steepy  mount 
To  climb  his  happiness,  would  be  well  express'd 
In  our  condition. 

Poet.  Nay,  sir,  but  hear  me  on. 

All  those  which  were  his  fellows  but  of  late, 
Some  better  than  his  value,  on  the  moment 
Follow  his  strides,  his  lobbies  fill  with  tendance,     80 
Rain  sacrificial  whisperings  in  his  ear. 
Make  sacred  even  his  stirrup,  and  through  him 
Drink  the  free  air. 

Pain.  Ay,  marry,  what  of  these? 

Poet.  When  Fortune  in  her  shift  and  change  of  mood 
Spurns  down  her  late  beloved,  all  his  dependants 
Which  labour'd  after  him  to  the  mountain's  top 
Even  on  their  knees  and  hands,  let  him  slip  down. 
Not  one  accompanying  his  declining  foot. 

Pain.  'Tis  common : 

A  thousand  moral  paintings  I  can  show,  90 

That  shall  demonstrate  these  quick  blows  of  Fortune's 
More  pregnantly  than  words.    Yet  you  do  well 
To  show  Lord  Timon  that  mean  eyes  have  seen 
The  foot  above  the  head. 

Trumpets  sound.  Enter  Lord  Timon,  addressing  himself 
courteously  to  every  suitor;  a  Messenger  from  Ven- 
tidiiis  talking  zvitJi  him;  Lucilius  and  other  servants 
following. 

Tim.  Imprison 'd  is  he,  say  you  ? 

26 


TIMON  or  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  i. 

Mess.  Ay,  my  good  lord  :  five  talents  is  his  debt ; 
His  means  most  short,  his  creditors  most  strait : 
Your  honourable  letter  he  desires 
To  those  have  shut  him  up ;    which  failing, 
Periods  his  comfort. 

Tim.  Noble  Ventidius !     W'ell, 

I  am  not  of  that  feather  to  shake  off  lOO 

My  friend  when  he  must  need  me.     I  do  know  him 
A  gentleman  that  well  deserves  a  help : 
Which  he  shall  have :   I  '11  pay  the  debt  and  free  him. 

Mess.  Your  lordship  ever  binds  him. 

Tim.  Commend  me  to  him  :   and  I  will  send  his  ransom  ; 
And,  being  enfranchised,  bid  him  come  to  me : 
'Tis  not  enough  to  help  the  feeble  up, 
But  to  support  him  after.     Fare  you  well. 

Mess.  All  happiness  to  your  honour !  [Exit. 

Enter  an  old  Athenian. 

Old  Ath.  Lord  Timon,  hear  me  speak. 

Tint.  Freely,  good  father,   no 

Old  Ath.  Thou  hast  a  servant  named  Lucilius. 

Tim.  I  have  so:   what  of  him? 

Old  Ath.   Most  noble  Timon,  call  the  man  before  thee. 

Tim.  Attends  he  here,  or  no  ?     Lucilius  ! 

Ltie.  Here,  at  your  lordship's  service. 

Old  Ath.  This  fellow  here,  Lord  Timon,  this  thy  creature, 
By  night  frequents  my  house.     I  am  a  man 
That  from  my  first  have  been  inclined  to  thrift. 
And  my  estate  deserves  an  heir  more  raised 
Than  one  w^hich  holds  a  trencher. 

Tim.  Well,  wdiat  further?  120 

Old  Ath.  One  only  daughter  have  I,  no  kin  else, 

27 


Act  I.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

On  whom  I  may  confer  what  I  have  got : 
The  maid  is  fair,  o'  the  youngest  for  a  bride, 
And  I  have  bred  her  at  my  dearest  cost 
In  quahties  of  the  best.     This  man  of  thine 
Attempts  her  love :   I  prithee,  noble  lord, 
Join  with  me  to  forbid  him  her  resort ; 
Myself  have  spoke  in  vain. 

Tim.  The  man  is  honest. 

Old  Ath.  Therefore  he  will  be,  Timon  : 

His  honesty  rewards  him  in  itself ;  130 

It  must  not  bear  my  daughter. 

Tim.  Does  she  love  him? 

Old  Ath.   She  is  young  and  apt : 

Our  own  precedent  passions  do  instruct  us 
What  levity  's  in  youth. 

Tim.    [To  Lucilius]  Love  you  the  maid? 

Luc.  Ay,  my  good  lord;   and  she  accepts  of  it. 

Old  Ath.  If  in  her  marriage  my  consent  be  missing, 
I  call  the  gods  to  witness,  I  will  choose 
]\Iine  heir  from  forth  the  beggars  of  the  world. 
And  dispossess  her  all. 

Tim.  How  shall  she  be  endow'd 

If  she  be  mated  with  an  equal  husband  ?  T40 

Old  Ath.  Three  talents  on  the  present;   in  future,  all. 

Tim.  This  gentleman  of  mine  hath  served  me  long : 
To  build  his  fortune  I  will  strain  a  little, 
For  'tis  a  bond  in  men.     Give  him  thy  daughter : 
What  you  bestow,  in  him  I  '11  counterpoise. 
And  make  him  weigh  with  her. 

Old  Ath.  Most  noble  lord, 

Pawn  me  to  this  your  honour,  she  is  his. 

Tim.  Mine  hand  to  thee ;  mine  honour  on  my  promise. 

28 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  i. 

Luc.  Humbly  I  thank  your  lordship :   never  may 

That  state  or  fortune  fall  into  my  keeping,  150 

Which  is  not  owed  to  you ! 

[Exeunt  Lncilius  and  Old  Athenian. 

Poet.  Vouchsafe  my  labour,  and  long  live  your  lordship ! 

Tim.  I  thank  you  ;  you  shall  hear  from  me  anon  : 

Go  not  away.     What  have  you  there,  my  friend  ? 

Pain.  A  piece  of  painting,  which  I  do  beseech 
Your  lordship  to  accept. 

Tim.  Painting  is  welcome. 

The  painting  is  almost  the  natural  man ; 
For  since  dishonour  traffics  with  man's  nature. 
He  is  but  outside :  these  pencill'd  figures  are 
Even  such  as  they  give  out.     I  like  your  work,      160 
And  you  shall  find  I  like  it :   wait  attendance 
Till  you  hear  further  from  me. 

Pain.  The  gods  preserve  ye  ! 

Tim.  Well  fare  you,  gentleman  :  give  me  your  hand  ; 
We  must  needs  dine  together.     Sir,  your  jewel 
Hath  suffer'd  under  praise. 

Jezv.  What,  my  lord  !    dispraise  ? 

Tim.  A  mere  satiety  of  commendations. 

If  I  should  pay  you  for  't  as  'tis  extoll'd, 
It  would  unclew  me  quite. 

Jezv.  My  lord,  'tis  rated 

As    those    which    sell    would    give :     but    you    well 

know, 
Things  of  like  value,  differing  in  the  owners,         170 
Are  prized  by  their  masters  :   believe  't,  dear  lord, 
You  mend  the  jewel  by  the  wearing  it. 

Tim.  Well  mock'd. 

Mer.  No,  my  good  lord  ;  he  speaks  the  common  tongue, 

29 


Act  I.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Which  all  men  speak  with  him. 
Tim.  Look,  who  comes  here:   will  you  be  chid? 

Enter  Apemantus. 

Jew.  We  '11  bear,  with  your  lordship. 

Mer.  He  '11  spare  none. 

Tim.  Good  morrow  to  thee,  gentle  Apemantus ! 

Apem.  Till  I  be  gentle,  stay  thou  for  thy  good  morrow ; 

When  thou  art  Timon's  dog,  and  these  knaves  honest. 
Tim.  Why  dost  thou  call  them  knaves?    thou  know'st 
them  not.  i8i 

Apem.  Are  they  not  Athenians? 
Tim.  Yes. 

Apem.  Then  I  repent  not. 
Jew.  You  know  me,  Apemantus  ? 
Apem.  Thou  know'st  I  do;   I  call'd  thee  by  thy  name. 
Tim.  Thou  art  proud,  Apemantus. 

Apem.  Of  nothing  so  much  as  that  I  am  not  like  Timon. 
Tim.  Whither  art  going?  190 

Apem.  To  knock  out  an  honest  Athenian's  brains. 
Tim.  That 's  a  deed  thou  'It  die  for. 
Apem.  Right,  if  doing  nothing  be  death  by  the  law. 
Tim.  How.  likest  thou  this  picture,  Apemantus  ? 
Apem.  The  best,  for  the  innocence. 
Tim.  Wrought  he  not  well  that  painted  it? 
Apem.  He  wrought  better  that  made  the  painter ;  and 

yet  he  's  but  a  filthy  piece  of  work. 
Pain.  You  're  a  dog. 
Apem.  Thy  mother  's  of  my  generation  :   what 's  she,  200 

if  I  be  a  dog  ? 
Tim,  Wilt  dine  with  me,  Apemantus? 

30 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  L 

Apein.   ^o  ;  I  eat  not  lords. 

Tim.  An  thou  shouldst,  thou  'Idst  anger  ladies. 

Apem.  O,  they  eat  lords ;  so  they  come  by  great  bellies. 

Tim.  That 's  a  lascivious  apprehension. 

Apem.  So  thou  apprehend'st  it :  take  it  for  thy  labour. 

Tim.  How  dost  thou  like  this  jewel,  Apemantus? 

Apem.  Xot  so  well  as  plain-dealing,  which  will  not 

cost  a  man  a  doit.  210 

Tim.  What  dost  thou  think  'tis  worth  ? 
Apem.  Not  worth  my  thinking.    How  now,  poet ! 
Poet.  How  now,  philosopher ! 
Apem.  Thou  liest. 
Poet.  Art  not  one  ? 
Apem.  Yes. 
Poet.  Then  I  lie  not. 
Apem.  Art  not  a  poet  ? 
Poet.  Yes. 
Apem.  Then  thou  liest :  look  in  thy  last  work,  where  220 

thou  hast  feigned  him  a  worthy  fellow. 
Poet.  That 's  not  feigned  ;  he  is  so. 
Apem.  Yes,  he  is  worthy  of  thee,  and  to  pay  thee 

for  thy  labour:    he  that  loves  to  be  flattered  is 

worthy  o'  the  flatterer.     Heavens,  that  I  were 

a  lord ! 
Tim.  What  wouldst  do  then,  Apemantus? 
Apem.  E'en  as  Apemantus  does  now ;    hate  a  lord 

with  my  heart. 
Tim.  What,  thyself  ?  230 

Apem.  Ay. 
Tim.  Wherefore  ? 
Apem.  That  I  had  no  angry  v/it  to  be  a  lord.     Art 

not  thou  a  merchant  ? 


Act  I.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Mer.  Ay,  Apemantus. 

Apem.  Traffic  confound  thee,  if  the  gods  will  not ! 

Mer.  If  traffic  do  it,  the  gods  do  it. 

Apem.  Traffic  's  thy  god;  and  thy  god  confound  thee! 

Trninpet  sounds.    Enter  a  Messenger. 

Tim.  What  trumpet 's  that? 

Mess.  'Tis  Alcibiades,  and  some  twenty  horse,  240 

All  of  companionship. 

Tim.  Pray,  entertain  them ;  give  them  guide  to  us. 

[Exeunt  some  Attendants. 
You  must  needs  dine  with  me :   go  not  you  hence 
Till  I  have  thank'd  you :   when  dinner's  done, 
Show  me  this  piece.     I  am  joyful  of  your  sights. 

Enter  Alcibiades,  zi'ith  the  rest. 

Most  welcome,  sir ! 
Apem.  So,  so,  there  ! 

Aches  contract  and  starve  your  supple  joints ! 

That  there  should  be  small  love  'mongst  these  sweet 
knaves. 

And  all  this  courtesy !    The  strain  of  man's  bred  out 

Into  baboon  and  monkey.  250 

Alcib.   Sir,  you  have  saved  my  longing,  and  I  feed 

IMost  hungerly  on  your  sight. 
Tim.  Right  welcome,  sir  ! 

Ere  we  depart,  we  '11  share  a  bounteous  time 

In  different  pleasures.    Pray  you,  let  us  in. 

[Exeunt  all  but  Apemantus, 

Enter  tzvo  Lords. 
First  Lord.  What  time  o'  day,  is  't  Apemantus  ? 

32 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  i. 

Apcm.  Time  to  be  honest. 

First  Lord.  That  time  serves  still. 

Apenu  The  most  accursed  thou,  that  still  omitt'st  it. 

Sec.  Lord.  Thou  art  going  to  Lord  Timon's  feast? 

Apem.  Ay,  to  see  meat  fill  knaves  and  wine  heat  foo's.  260 

Sec.  Lord.  Fare  thee  well,  fare  thee  well. 

Apem.  Thou  art  a  fool  to  bid  me  farewell  twice. 

Sec.  Lord.  Why,  Apemantus? 

Apem.  Shouldst  have  kept  one  to  thyself,  for  I  mean 

to  give  thee  none. 
First  Lord,  Hang  thyself ! 
Apem.  No,  I  wnll  do  nothing  at  thy  bidding:    make 

thy  requests  to  thy  friend. 
Sec.  Lord.  Away,  unpeaceable  dog,  or  I  '11  spurn  thee 

hence !  270 

Apem,  I  will  fly,  like  a  dog,  the  heels  o'  the  ass.       [Exit. 
First  Lord.  He's  opposite  to  humanity.   Come,  shall  we  in, 

And  taste  Lord  Timon's  bounty?  he  outgoes 

The  very  heart  of  kindness. 
Sec.  Lord.  He  pours  it  out ;    Plutus,  the  god  of  gold, 

Is  but  his  steward :  no  meed,  but  he  repays 

Sevenfold  above  itself ;   no  gift  to  him. 

But  breeds  the  giver  a  return  exceeding 

All  use  of  quittance. 
First  Lord.  The  noblest  mind  he  carries 

That  ever  govern'd  man.  280 

Sec.  Lord.  Long  may  he  live  in  fortunes  !     Shall  we  in  ? 
First  Lord.   Til  keep  you  company.  [Exeunt. 


ZZ 


Act  I.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Scene  II. 

A  Banqucting-roorn  in  Timon's  house. 

Hautboys  playing  loud  music,  A  great  banquet  served  in; 
Flavins  and  others  attending;  and  then  enter  Lord 
Timon,  Alcibiades,  Lords,  Senators,  and  Ventidius. 
Then  comes,  dropping  after  all,  Apemantus,  discon- 
tentedly, like  himself. 

Ven.  Most  honour'cl  Timon, 

It  hath  pleased  the  gods  to  remember  my  father's  age, 

And  call  him  to  long  peace. 

He  is  gone  happy,  and  has  left  me  rich : 

Then,  as  in  grateful  virtue  I  am  bound 

To  your  free  heart,  I  do  return  those  talents. 

Doubled  with  thanks  and  service,  from  whose  help 

I  derived  liberty. 

Tim.  O,  by  no  means. 

Honest  Ventidius  ;  you  mistake  my  love  : 

I  gave  it  freely  ever  ;   and  there  's  none  lO 

Can  truly  say  he  gives,  if  he  receives : 

If  our  betters  play  at  that  game,  we  must  not  dare 

To  imitate  them ;    faults  that  are  rich  are  fair. 

Ven.  A  noble  spirit ! 

Tim.   Xay,  my  lords,  ceremony  was  but  devised  at  first 
To  set  a  gloss  on  faint  deeds,  hollow  welcomes. 
Recanting  goodness,  sorry  ere  'tis  shown ; 
But  where  there  is  true  friendship,  there  needs  none. 
Pray,  sit ;  more  welcome  are  ye  to  my  fortunes 
Than  my  fortunes  to  me.  [They  sit.     20 

First  Lord.  My  lord,  we  always  have  confess' d  it. 

Apem.  Ho,  ho,  confess'd  it!   hang'd  it,  have  you  not? 

Tim.  O,  Apemantus,  you  are  welcome. 

34 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  ii. 

Apem.  No ; 

You  shall  not  make  me  welcome : 
I  come  to  have  thee  thrust  me  out  of  doors. 

Tim.  Fie,  thou  'rt  a  churl ;  ye  've  got  a  humour  there 
Does  not  become  a  man  ;  'tis  much  to  blame. 
They  say,  my  lords,  '  ira  furor  brevis  est' ;   but 
yond  man  is  ever  angry.     Go,  let  him  have  a 
table   by   himself ;     for   he    does    neither   affect     30 
company,  nor  is  he  fit  for  't  indeed. 

Apem.  Let  me  stay  at  thine  apperil,  Timon  : 

I  come  to  observe ;   I  give  thee  warning  on  't. 

Tim.  I  take  no  heed  of  thee ;  thou  'rt  an  Athenian, 
therefore  welcome :  I  myself  would  have  no 
power ;  prithee,  let  my  meat  make  thee  silent. 

Apem..  I  scorn  thy  meat ;  'twould  choke  me,  for  I 
should  ne'er  flatter  thee.  O  you  gods,  what  a 
number  of  men  eat  Timon,  and  he  sees  'em  not ! 
It  grieves  me  to  see  so  many  dip  their  meat  in  40 
one  man's  blood ;  and  all  the  madness  is,  he 
cheers  them  up  too. 

I  wonder  men  dare  trust  themselves  with  men  : 
Methinks  they  should  invite  them  without  knives  ; 
Good  for  their  meat,  and  safer  for  their  lives. 
There  's  much  example  for  't ;  the  fellow  that  sits 
next  him  now,  parts  bread  with  him,  pledges  the 
breath  of  him  in  a  divided  draught,  is  the  readiest 
man  to  kill  him :  't  has  been  proved.  If  I  were 
a  huge  man,  I  should  fear  to  drink  at  meals ;  50 

Lest  they  should  spy  my  windpipe's  dangerous  notes : 
Great  men  should  drink  with  harness  on  their  throats. 

Tim.  My  lord,  in  heart ;  and  let  the  health  go  round. 

Sec.  Lord.  Let  it  flow  this  way,  my  good  lord. 

35 


Act  I.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Apem.  Flow  this  way !  A  brave  fellow !  he  keeps 
his  tides  well.  Those  healths  will  make  thee 
and  thy  state  look  ill,  Timon.  Here 's  that 
which  is  too  weak  to  be  a  sinner,  honest  water, 
which  ne'er  left  man  i'  the  mire : 

This  and  my  food  are  equals  ;   there  's  no  odds  :     6o 
Feasts  are  too  proud  to  give  thanks  to  the  gods. 

Apemantuss  Grace. 

Immortal  gods,  I  crave  no  pelf ; 

I  pray  for  no  man  but  myself : 

Grant  I  may  never  prove  so  fond, 

To  trust  man  on  his  oath  or  bond. 

Or  a  harlot  for  her  weeping, 

Or  a  dog  that  seems  a-sleeping, 

Or  a  keeper  with  my  freedom, 

Or  my  friends,  if  I  should  need  'em. 

Amen.     So  fall  to  't :  70 

Rich  men  sin,  and  I  eat  root. 

[Eats  and  drinks. 
Much  good  dich  thy  good  heart,  Apemantus ! 
Tim.   Captain  Alcibiades,  your  heart 's  in  the  field  now. 
Alcib.  My  heart  is  ever  at  your  service,  my  lord. 
Tim.  You  had  rather  be  at  a  breakfast  of  enemies 

than  a  dinner  of  friends. 
Alcib.   So  they  were  bleeding-new,  my  lord,  there  's 
no  meat  like  'em :    I  could  wish  my  best  friend 
at  such  a  feast. 
Apem.  Would  all  those  flatterers  were  thine  enemies,     80 
then,  that  then  thou  mightst  kill  'em  and  bid  me 
to  'em ! 
First  Lord,  Might  we  but  have  that  happiness,  my 

36 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  ii. 

lord,  that  you  would  once  use  our  hearts,  whereby 
we  might  express  some  part  of  our  zeals,  we 
should  think  ourselves  for  ever  perfect. 

Tim.  O,  no  doubt,  my  good  friends,  but  the  gods 
themselves  have  provided  that  I  shall  have  much 
help  from  you :  how  had  you  been  my  friends 
else?  why  have  you  that  charitable  title  from  90 
thousands,  did  not  you  chiefly  belong  to  my 
heart  ?  I  have  told  more  of  you  to  myself  than 
you  can  with  modesty  speak  in  your  own  behalf ; 
and  thus  far  I  confirm  you.  O  you  gods,  think 
I,  what  need  we  have  any  friends,  if  we  should 
ne'er  have  need  of  'em?  they  were  the  most 
needless  creatures  living,  should  we  ne'er  have 
use  for  'em,  and  would  most  resemble  sweet 
instruments  hung  up  in  cases,  that  keep  tKeir 
sounds  to  themselves.  Why,  I  have  often  wished  100 
myself  poorer,  that  I  might  come  nearer  to  you. 
We  are  born  to  do  benefits :  and  what  better  or 
properer  can  we  call  our  own  than  the  riches  of 
our  friends?  O,  what  a  precious  comfort  'tis 
to  have  so  many,  like  brothers,  commanding  one 
another's  fortunes  !  O  joy,  e'en  made  away  ere 't 
can  be  born  !  Mine  eyes  cannot  hold  out  water, 
methinks ;  to  forget  their  faults,  I  drink  to  you. 

Apem.  Thou  weep'st  to  make  them  drink,  Timon. 

Sec.  Lord.  Joy  had  the  like  conception  in  our  eyes,     iio 
And  at  that  instant  like  a  babe  sprung  up. 

Apem.  Ho,  ho !  I  laugh  to  think  that  babe  a  bastard. 

Third  Lord.  I  promise  you,  my  lord,  you  moved  me  much. 

Apem.  Much!  [Tucket,  within. 

Tim.  What  means  that  trump  ? 

Z7 


Act  I.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Enter  a  Servant. 

How  now ! 
Serv.  Please  you,  my  lord,  there  are  certain  ladies 

most  desirous  of  admittance. 
Tim.  Ladies  !  what  are  their  wills  ? 
Serv.  There  comes  with  them  a  forerunner,  my  lord, 

which  bears  that  office,  to  signify  their  pleasures.   120 
Tim.  I  pray,  let  them  be  admitted. 

Enter  Cupid. 

Cup.  Hail  to  thee,  worthy  Timon  !  and  to  all 

That  of-his  bounties  taste !    The  five  best  senses 
Acknowledge  thee  their  patron,  and  come  freely 
To  gratulate  thy  plenteous  bosom :   th'  ear. 
Taste,  touch,  and  smell,  pleased  from  thy  table  rise ; 
They  only  now  come  but  to  feast  thine  eyes. 

Tim.  They  're  welcome  all ;  let  'em  have  kind  admittance  : 
Music,  make  their  welcome!  [Exit  Cupid. 

First  Lord.  You  see,  my  lord,  how  ample  you  're  beloved. 

Music.     Re-enter  Cupid,  zcitJi  a  mask  of  Ladies  as  Ama- 
zons, with  lutes  in  their  hands,  dancing  and  playing. 

Apcni.  Hoy-day,  what  a  sweep  of  vanity  comes  this  way ! 
They  dance!   they  are  mad  women.  132 

Like  madness  is  the  glory  of  this  life. 
As  this  pomp  shows  to  a  little  oil  and  root. 
We  make  ourselves  fools,  to  disport  ourselves, 
And  spend  our  flatteries,  to  drink  those  men 
Upon  whose  age  we  void  it  up  again 
With  poisonous  spite  and  envy. 
Who  lives,  that's  not  depraved  or  depraves? 

38 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  ii. 

Who  dies,  that  bears  not  one  spurn  to  their  graves 
Of  their  friends'  gift?  141 

I  should  fear  those  that  dance  before  me  now 
Would  one  day  stamp  upon  me :  't  has  been  done ; 
Men  shut  their  doors  against  a  setting  sun. 

The  Lords  rise  from  table,  zuith  much  adoring  of  Timon; 
and  to  shozu  their  loves,  each  singles  out  an  Amazon, 
and  all  dance,  men  zuith  zvomen,  a  lofty  strain  or  tzvo 
to  the  hautboys,  and  cease. 

Tim.   You  have  done  our  pleasures  much  grace,  fair  ladies, 
Set  a  fair  fashion  on  our  entertainment, 
Which  was  not  half  so  beautiful  and  kind ; 
You  have  added  worth  unto  't  and  lustre, 
And  entertain'd  me  with  mine  own  device : 
I  am  to  thank  you  for  't.  150 

First  Lady.  My  lord,  you  take  us  even  at  the  best. 

Apem.  Faith   for  the  worst  is  filthy,  and  would  not 
hold  taking,  I  doubt  me. 

Tim.  Ladies,  there  is  an  idle  banquet  attends  you : 
Please  you  to  dispose  yourselves. 

All  Lad.  Most  thankfully,  my  lord. 

[Exeunt  Cupid  and  Ladies. 

Tim.  Flavins ! 

Flav.  My  lord? 

Tim.  The  little  casket  bring  me  hither. 

Flaz'.  Yes,  my  lord.      [Aside]    More  jewels  yet! 

There  is  no  crossing  him  in  's  humour  ;  160 

Else  I  should  tell  him — well,  i'  faith,  I  should — 
W^hen  all 's  spent,  he  'Id  be  cross'd  then,  an  he  could. 
'Tis  pity  bounty  had  not  eyes  behind, 
Thatman might  ne'er  be  wretched  for  his  mind,  [Exii^ 

39 


Act  I.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

First  Lord.  Where  be  our  men  ? 
Scrv.  Here,  my  lord,  in  readiness. 
Sec,  Lord.  Our  horses  ! 

Re-enter  Flavins,  zvith  the  easket. 

Tim.  O  my  friends, 

I  have  one  word  to  say  to  you :    look  you,  my  good 
lord, 

I  must  entreat  you,  honour  me  so  much  170 

As  to  advance  this  jewel ;  accept  it  and  wear  it, 

Kind  my  lord. 
First  Lord.  I  am  so  far  already  in  your  gifts, — 
All.  So  are  we  all. 

Enter  a  Servant. 

Serv.  My  lord,  there  are  certain  nobles  of  the  senate 

newly  alighted  and  come  to  visit  you. 
Tim.  They  are  fairly  welcome. 
Flav.  I  beseech  your  honour,  vouchsafe  me  a  word ; 

it  does  concern  you  near. 
Tim.  Near!  why,  then,  another  time  I  '11  hear  thee:     180 

I  prithee,  let 's  be  provided  to  show  them  entertain- 
ment. 
Flav.    [Aside^   I  scarce  know  how. 

Enter  another  Servant. 

Sec.  Serv.  May  it  please  your  honour.  Lord  Lucius 
Out  of  his  free  love  hath  presented  to  you 
Four  milk-white  horses,  trapp'd  in  silver. 

Tim.  I  shall  accept  them  fairly :   let  the  presents 
Be  worthily  entertained. 
40 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I.  Sc.  ii. 

Enter  a  third  Servant, 

How  now!    what  news? 
Third  Serv.  Please  you,   my   lord,   that   honourable 

gentleman,  Lord  Lucullus,  entreats  your  company 

to-morrow  to  hunt  with  him,  and  has  sent  your  190 

honour  two  brace  of  greyhounds. 
Tim.  I  '11  hunt  with  him  ;  and  let  them  be  received, 

Not  without  fair  reward. 
Flav.  [Aside]   What  will  this  come  to? 

He  commands  us  to  provide  and  give  great  gifts, 

And  all  out  of  an  empty  coffer : 

Nor  will  he  know  his  purse,  or  yield  me  this, 

To  show  him  what  a  beggar  his  heart  is. 

Being  of  no  power  to  make  his  wishes  good : 

His  promises  fly  so  beyond  his  state 

That  what  he  speaks  is  all  in  debt,  he  owes  200 

For  every  word :  he  is  so  kind  that  he  now 

Pays  interest  for  't ;   his  land  's  put  to  their  books. 

Well,  would  I  were  gently  put  out  of  office, 

Before  I  were  forced  out ! 

Happier  is  he  that  has  no  friend  to  feed 

Than  such  that  do  e'en  enemies  exceed. 

I  bleed  inwardly  for  my  lord.  [Exit. 

Tim.  You  do  yourselves 

Much  wrong,  you  bate  too  much  of  your  own  merits. 

Here,  my  lord,  a  trifle  of  our  love. 
Sec.  Lord.  With  more  than  common  thanks  I  will       210 

receive  it. 
Third  Lord.  O,  he  's  the  very  soul  of  bounty  ! 
Tim.  And  now  I  remember,  my  lord,  you  gave  good 

words  the  other  day  of  a  bay  courser  I  rode  on. 

'Tis  yours,  because  you  liked  it. 

41 


Act  I.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Third  Lord.  O,  I  beseech  you,  pardon  me,  my  lord, 
in  that. 

Tim.  You  may  take  my  word,  my  lord;    I  know,  no 
man  can  justly  praise,  but  what  he  does  affect :   I 
weigh  my  friend's  affection  with  mine  own  :  I  '11    220 
tell  you  true.     I  '11  call  to  you. 

All  Lords.  O,  none  so  welcome. 

Tim.  I  take  all  and  your  several  visitations 

So  kind  to  heart,  'tis  not  enough  to  give : 

Methinks,  I  could  deal  kingdoms  to  my  friends, 

And  ne'er  be  weary.     Alcibiades, 

Thou  art  a  soldier,  therefore  seldom  rich ; 

It  comes  in  charity  to  thee :    for  all  thy  living 

Is  'mongst  the  dead,  and  all  the  lands  thou  hast 

Lie  in  a  pitch'd  field.  230 

Alcih.  Ay,  defiled  land,  my  lord. 

First  Lord.  We  are  so  virtuously  bound — 

Tim.  And  so 

Am  I  to  you. 

Sec.  Lord.  So  infinitely  endear'd — 

Tim.  All  to  you.     Lights,  more  lights  ! 

First  Lord.  The  best  of  happiness, 

Honour  and  fortunes,  keep  with  you.  Lord  Timon  ! 

Tun.  Ready  for  his  friends. 

[Exeunt  all  but  Apemantus  and  Timon. 

Apem.  What  a  coil 's  here  ! 

Serving  of  becks  and  jutting-out  of  bums  ! 
I  doubt  whether  their  legs  be  worth  the  sums  240 

That  are  given  for  'em.  Friendship  's  full  of  dregs : 
Methinks,  false  hearts  should  never  have  sound  legs. 
Thus  honest  fools  lay  out  their  wealth  on  court'sies. 

Tim,  Now,  Apemantus,  if  thou  wert  not  sullen, 

42 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  II.  Sc.  i. 

I  would  be  good  to  thee. 
Apem,  No,  I  '11  nothing :  for  if  I  should  be  bribed  too, 

there  would  be  none  left  to  rail  upon  thee ;   and 

then  thou  wouldst  sin  the  faster.     Thou  givest 

so  long,  Timon,  I  fear  me  thou  wilt  give  away 

thyself  in  paper  shortly  :  what  needs  these  feasts,  250 

pomps  and  vain-glories? 
Tim.  Nay,  an  you  begin  to  rail  on  society  once,  I 

am  sworn  not  to  give  regard  to  you.     Farewell ; 

and  come  w4th  better  music.  [Exit. 

Apem.  So :  thou  wilt  not  hear  me  now  ;  thou  shalt 

not  then  :   I  '11  lock  thy  heaven  from  thee. 

O,  that  men's  ears  should  be 

To  counsel  deaf,  but  not  to  flattery !  {Exit. 

ACT  SECOND. 
Scene  I. 

A  Senator's  house. 

Enter  a  Senator,  zvith  papers  in  his  hand. 

Sen.  And  late  five  thousand :  to  Varro  and  to  Isidore 
He  owes  nine  thousand ;   besides  my  former  sum, 
Which  makes  it  five  and  twenty.     Still  in  motion 
Of  raging  waste  ?     It  cannot  hold  ;   it  will  not. 
If  I  want  gold,  steal  but  a  beggar's  dog 
And  give  it  Timon,  why,  the  dog  coins  gold : 
If  I  would  sell  my  horse  and  buy  twenty  moe 
Better  than  he,  why,  give  my  horse  to  Timon  ; 
Ask  nothing,  give  it  him,  it  foals  me  straight 
And  able  horses  :   no  porter  at  his  gate,  10 

43 


Act  II.  Sc.  i.  ■  THE  LIFE  OF 

But  rather  one  that  smiles  and  still  invites 
All  that  pass  by.  It  cannot  hold  ;  no  reason 
Can  found  his  state  in  safety.  Caphis,  ho  ! 
Caphis,  I  say  ! 

Enter  Caphis. 

Caph.  Here,  sir ;  what  is  your  pleasure  ? 

Sen.  Get  on  your  cloak,  and  haste  you  to  Lord  Timon ; 
Importune  him  for  my  moneys ;   be  not  ceased 
With  slight  denial ;    nor  then  silenced,  when — • 
'  Commend  me  to  your  master ' — and  the  cap 
Plays  in  the  right  hand,  thus :   but  tell  hixH, 
My  uses  cry  to  me,  I  must  serve  my  turn  20 

Out  of  mine  own ;   his  days  and  times  are  past, 
And  my  reliances  on  his  fracted  dates 
Have  smit  my  credit :  I  love  and  honour  him, 
But  must  not  break  my  back  to  heal  his  finger  J 
Immediate  are  my  needs  ;   and  my  relief 
Must  not  be  toss'd  and  turn'd  to  me  in  words, 
But  find  supply  immediate.     Get  you  gone : 
Put  on  a  most  importunate  aspect, 
A  visage  of  demand ;   for,  I  do  fear, 
When  every  feather  sticks  in  his  own  wing,  30 

Lord  Timon  will  be  left  a  naked  gull. 
Which  flashes  now  a  phoenix.     Get  you  gone. 

Caph.  I  go,  sir. 

Sen.  '  I  go,  sir ! '     Take  the  bonds  along  with  you. 
And  have  the  dates  in  compt. 

Caph.  I  will,  sir. 

Sen.  Go.       [Exeunt 


'44 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  II.  Sc.  ii. 

Scene  II. 

A  hall  in  Timons  house. 

Enter  Flavins,  zvith  many  bills  in  his  hand. 

Flav.  No  care,  no  stop !   so  senseless  of  expense, 

That  he  will  neither  know  how  to  maintain  it, 

Nor  cease  his  flow  of  riot :   takes  no  account 

How  things  go  from  him ;   nor  resumes  no  care 

Of  what  is  to  continue :    never  mind 

Was  to  be  so  unwise,  to  be  so  kind. 

What  shall  be  done  ?   he  will  not  hear  till  feel : 

I  must  be  round  with  him,  now  he  comes  from 

hunting, 
Fie,  fie,  fie,  fie  ! 

Enter  Caphis,  zvith  the  servants  of  Isidore  and  Varro. 

Caph.  Good  even,  Varro:  what,  you  come  for  money?  lo 

Var.  Scrv.  Is  't  not  your  business  too  ? 

Caph.  It  is:   and  yours  too,  Isidore? 

Isid.  Serv.  It  is  so. 

Caph.  Would  we  were  all  discharged ! 

Var.  Serv.  I  fear  it. 

Caph.  Here  comes  the  lord. 

Enter   Timon,   Alcihiades,   Lords,   and   others. 

Tim.  So  soon  as  dinner  's  done,  we  '11  forth  again. 

My  Alcibiades.     With  me  ?  what  is  your  will  ? 
Caph.  My  lord,  here  is  a  note  of  certain  dues. 
Tim.  Dues !     Whence  are  you  ? 

Caph.  Of  Athens  here,  my  lord.  20 

Tim.  Go  to  mv  steward. 


45 


Act  II.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

CapK  Please  it  your  lordship,  he  hath  put  me  off 
To  the  succession  of  new  days  this  month : 
My  master  is  awaked  by  great  occasion 
To  call  upon  his  own,  and  humbly  prays  you 
That  with  your  other  noble  parts  you  '11  suit 
In  giving  him  his  right. 

Tim.  ]\Iine  honest  friend, 

I  prithee  but  repair  to  me  next  morning. 

Caph.  Nay,  good  my  lord, — 

Tim.  Contain  thyself,  good  friend. 

J^ar.  Serz'.  One  Varro's  servant,  my  good  lord, —  30 

Isid.  Sen'.  From  Isidore;    he  humbly  prays  your  speedy 
payment. 

Caph.  If  you  did  know,  my  lord,  my  master's  wants, — 

Var.  Scrv.  'Twas  due  on  forfeiture,  my  lord,  six  weeks 
and  past. 

Isid.  Serv.  Your  steward  puts  me  off,  my  lord,  and  I 
Am  sent  expressly  to  your  lordship. 

Tim.  Give  me  breath. 

I  do  beseech  you,  good  my  lords,  keep  on  ; 
I  '11  wait  upon  you  instantly.  40 

[Exeunt-  Alcihiades,  Lords,  &c. 
[To  Flav.]   Come  hither:   pray  you, 
How  goes  the  world,  that  I  am  thus  encounter'd 
With  clamorous  demands  of  date-broke  bonds. 
And  the  detention  of  long-since-due  debts. 
Against  my  honour? 

Flav.  Please  you,  gentlemen, 

The  time  is  unagreeable  to  this  business : 
Your  importunacy  cease  till  after  dinner. 
That  I  may  make  his  lordship  understand 
\Mierefore  you  are  not  paid. 

46 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  II.  Sc.  ii. 

Ti}n.  Do  so,  my  friends.     See  them  well  entertain'd.  [Exit. 
Flav.   Pray,  draw  near.  \Exit.     50 

Enter  Apcmantus  and  Fool. 

Caph.  Stay,  stay,  here  comes  the  fool  with  Ape- 
mantus :    let 's  ha'  some  sport  with  'em. 

Var.  Serv.  Hang  him,  he  '11  abuse  us. 

hid.  Serv.  A  plague  upon  him,  dog! 

Var.  Serv.  How  dost,  fool? 

Apem.  Dost  dialogue  with  thy  shadow  ? 

Var.  Serv.  I  speak  not  to  thee. 

Apem.  No,  'tis  to  thyself.      [To  the  Fool]  Come  away. 

hid.  Serv.  There 's   the   fool   hangs   on   your   back 

already.  60 

Apem.  No,  thou  stand'st  single,  thou  'rt  not  on  him  yet. 

Caph.  Where  's  the  fool  now  ? 

Apem.  He  last  asked  the  question.  Poor  rogues,  and 
usurers'  men  !  bawds  between  gold  and  want ! 

All  Serv.  What  are  we,  Apemantus? 

Apem.  Asses. 

All  Serv.  Why? 

Apem.  That  you  ask  me  what  you  are,  and  do  not 
know  yourselves.     Speak  to  'em,  fool. 

Fool.  How  do  you,  gentlemen  ?  70 

All  Serv.  Gramercies,  good  fool :  how  does  your 
mistress  ? 

Fool.  She  's  e'en  setting  on  water  to  scald  such  chick- 
ens as  you  are.  Would  we  could  see  you  at 
Corinth ! 

Apem.  Good!   gramercy. 

Enter  Page. 
Fool.  Look  you,  here  comes  my  mistress'  page. 

47 


Act  II.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Page.  [To  tJie  Fool]  Why,  how  now,  captain !  what 
do  you  m  this  wise  company?  How  dost  thou, 
Apemantus  ?  80 

Apem.  Would  I  had  a  rod  in  my  mouth,  that  I  might 
answer  thee  profitably. 

Page.  Prithee,  Apemantus,  read  me  the  superscrip- 
tion of  these  letters  :   I  know  not  which  is  which. 

Apem.  Canst  not  read? 

Page.  No. 

Apem.  There  will  little  learning  die  then,  that  day 
thou  art  hang'd.  This  is  to  Lord  Timon  ;  this 
to  Alcibiades.  Go;  thou  wast  born  a  bastard, 
and  thou  'It  die  a  bawd.  90 

Page.  Thou  wast  whelped  a  dog,  and  thou  shalt 
■^amish  a  dog's  death.     Answer  not,  I  am  gone. 

[Exit. 

Apem.  E'en  so  thou  outrun'st  grace.  Fool,  I  will  go 
with  you  to  Lord  Timon's. 

Fool.  Will  you  leave  me  there? 

Apem.  If  Timon  stay  at  home.  You  three  serve  three 
usurers? 

All  Sew.  Ay  ;  would  they  served  us ! 

Apem.  So  would  I, — as  good  a  trick  as  ever  hang- 
man ser\'ed  thief.  100 

Fool.  Are  you  three  usurers'  men  ? 

All  Serv.  Ay,  fool. 

Fool.  I  think  no  usurer  but  has  a  fool  to  his  servant: 
my  mistress  is  one,  and  I  am  her  fool.  When 
men  come  to  borrow  of  your  masters,  they  ap- 
proach sadly  and  go  away  merry  ;  but  they  enter 
my  mistress'  house  merrily  and  go  away  sadly: 
the  reason  of  this? 

48 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  I!.  Sc.  li. 

Var.  Serv.  I  could  render  one. 

Apein.  Do  it  tl:en,  that  we  may  account  thee  a  whore-   no 
master   and   a    knave ;     which   notwithstanding, 
thou  shalt  be  no  less  esteemed. 

J'ar.Serz:  ^^'hat  is  a  whoremaster,  fool? 

Fool.  A  fool  in  good  clothes,  and  something  like 
thee.  'Tis  a  spirit :  sometime  't  appears  like  a 
lord ;  sometime  like  a  lawyer ;  sometime  like  a 
philosopher,  with  two  stones  moe  than  's  arti- 
ficial one :  he  is  very  often  like  a  knight ;  and, 
generally,  in  all  shapes  that  man  goes  up  and 
down  in  from  fourscore  to  thirteen,  this  spirit  120 
walks  in. 

Var.  Serv.  Thou  art  not  altogether  a  fool. 

Fool.  Nor  thou   altogether   a   wise  man  :    as   much 
foolery  as  I  have,  so  much  wit  thou  lack'st. 

Apern.  That  answer  might  have  become  Apemantus. 

All  Serv.  Aside,  aside ;   here  comes  Lord  Timon. 

Re-enter  Timon  and  Flavins. 

Apem.  Come  with  me,  fool,  come. 

Fool.  I  do  not  always  follow  lover,  elder  brother,  and 

woman  ;    sometime  the  philosopher. 

[Exeunt  Apemantus  and  Fool. 
Flav.  Pray  you,  walk  near:  I  '11  speak  with  you  anon.  130 

[Exeuiit  Servants. 
Tim.  You  make  me  marvel ;   wherefore,  ere  this  time, 

Had  you  not  fully  laid  my  state  before  me. 

That  I  might  so  have  rated  my  expense 

As  I  had  leave  of  means? 
Flav,  You  w^ould  not  hear  me, 

At  many  leisures  I  proposed. 

49 


Act  II.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Tim.  Go  to : 

Perchance  some  single  vantages  you  took, 
When  my  indisposition  put  you  back ; 
And  that  unaptness  made  your  minister, 
Thus  to  excuse  yourself. 

FIaz'.  O  my  good  lord, 

At  many  times  I  brought  in  my  accounts,  140 

Laid  them  before  you  ;  you  would  throw  them  off, 
And  say,  you  found  them  in  mine  honesty. 
When  for  some  trifling  present  you  have  bid  me 
Return  so  much,  I  have  shook  my  head  and  wept ; 
Yea,  'gainst  the  authority  of  manners  pray'd  you 
To  hold  your  hand  more  close:    I  did  endure 
Not  seldom  nor  no  slight  checks,  when  I  have 
Prompted  you  in  the  ebb  of  your  estate 
And  your  great  flow  of  debts.     My  loved  lord, 
Though    you    hear    now,    too    late ! — yet    now 's    a 
time —  150 

The  greatest  of  your  having  lacks  a  half 
To  pay  your  present  debts. 

Tim.  Let  all  my  land  be  sold. 

FIaz'.  'Tis  all  engaged,  some  forfeited  and  gone. 
And  what  remains  will  hardly  stop  the  moilth 
Of  present  dues  :   the  future  comes  apace  : 
Wliat  shall  defend  the  interim?   and  at  length 
How  goes  our  reckoning? 

Tim.  To  Lacedsemon  did  my  land  extend. 

Flav.  O  my  good  lord,  the  world  is  but  a  word : 

Were  it  all  yours  to  give  it  in  a  breath,  160 

Plow  quickly  were  it  gone ! 

Tim.  You  tell  me  true. 

Flav.  If  you  suspect  my  husbandry  or  falsehood, 

50 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  II.  Sc.  ii 

Call  me  before  the  exactest  auditors, 

And  set  me  on  the  proof.     So  the  gods  bless  me, 

When  all  our  offices  have  been  oppress'd 

With  riotous  feeders,  when  our  vaults  have  wept 

With  drunken  spilth  of  wine,  when  every  room 

Hath  blazed  with  lights  and  bray'd  with  minstrelsy, 

I  have  retired  me  to  a  wasteful  cock. 

And  set  mine  eyes  at  flow. 

Tim.  Prithee,  no  more.  170 

Flaz'.  Heavens,  have  I  said,  the  bounty  of  this  lord ! 
How  many  prodigal  bits  have  slaves  and  peasants 
This  night  englutted !     Who  is  not  Timon's  ? 
What  heart,  head,  sword,  force,  means,  but  is  Lord 

Timon's  ? 
Great  Timon,  noble,  worthy,  royal  Timon ! 
Ah,  when  the  means  are  gone  that  buy  this  praise. 
The  breath  is  gone  whereof  this  praise  is  made : 
Feast-won,  fast-lost ;   one  cloud  of  winter  showers. 
These  flies  are  couch'd. 

Tim.  Come,  sermon  me  no  further: 

Xo  villanous  bounty  yet  hath  pass'd  my  heart ;      180 
Unwisely,  not  ignobly,  have  I  given. 
Why  dost  thou  weep?     Canst  thou  the  conscience 

lack. 
To  think  I  shall  lack  friends?     Secure  thy  heart; 
If  I  would  broach  the  vessels  of  my  love, 
And  try  the  argument  of  hearts  by  borrowing, 
Men  and  men's  fortunes  could  I  frankly  use 
As  I  can  bid  thee  speak. 

Flav.  Assurance  bless  your  thoughts ! 

Tim,  And  in  some  sort  these  wants  of  mine  are  crown' d, 
That  I  account  them  blessings  ;   for  by  these 

-^    ^  SI 


Act  II.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Shall  I  try  friends  :  you  shall  perceive  how  you    190 
Mistake  my  fortunes  ;   I  am  wealthy  in  my  friends. 
Within  there !     Flaminius  !     Servilius  ! 

Enter  Flani'uiius,  Servilius,  and  other  Servants. 

Servants.  My  lord?   my  lord?  • 

Tim.  I  will  dispatch  you  severally :  you  to  Lord 
Lucius :  to  Lord  Lucullus  you :  I  hunted  with 
his  honour  to-day :  you  to  Sempronius  :  commend 
me  to  their  loves ;  and,  I  am  proud,  say,  that 
my  occasions  have  found  time  to  use  'em  to- 
ward a  supply  of  money :  let  the  request  be  200 
fifty  talents. 

Flam.  As  you  have  said,  my  lord. 

Flav.    [Aside^   Lord  Lucius  and  Lucullus?    hum! 

Tim.  Go  you,  sir,  to  the  senators — 

Of  whom,  even  to  the  state's  best  health,  I  have 
Deserved  this  hearing — bid  'em  send  o'  the  instant 
A  thousand  talents  to  me. 

Flav.  I  have  been  bold, 

For  that  I  knew  it  the  most  general  way, 
To  them  to  use  your  signet  and  your  name, 
But  they  do  shake  their  heads,  and  I  am  here 
No  richer  in  return. 

Tim.  Is 't  true?   can 'the?  210 

Flav.  They  answer,  in  a  joint  and  corporate  voice. 
That  now  they  are  at  fall,  want  treasure,  cannot 
Do  what  they  would;    are  sorry — you  are  honour- 
able,— 
But  yet  they  could  have  wish'd — they  know  not — 
Something  hath  been  amiss — a  noble  nature 
May  catch  a  wrench — would  all  were  well — 'tis  pity  : — 

S2 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  II.  Sc.  ii. 

And  so,  intending  other  serious  matters, 
After  distasteful  looks  and  these  hard  fractions, 
With  certain  half-caps  and  cold-moving  nods 
They  froze  me  into  silence. 
Tim.  You  gods,  reward  them !  220 

Prithee,  man,  look  cheerly.     These  old  fellows 
Have  their  ingratitude  in  them  hereditary: 
Their  blood  is  caked,  'tis  cold,  it  seldom  flows ; 
'Tis  lack  of  kindly  warmth  they  are  not  kind ; 
And  nature,  as  it  grows  again  toward  earth, 
Is  fashion'd  for  the  journey,  dull  and  heavy. 
[To  a  Serz'.]    Go  to  Ventidius.    [To  Flaz:]    Prithee, 

be  not  sad  ; 
Thou  art  true  and  honest ;   ingeniously  I  speak. 
No  blame  belongs  to  thee.      [To  Serv.]     Ventidius 

lately 
Buried  his  father,  by  whose  death  he  's  stepp'd      230 
Into  a  great  estate :  w;hen  he  was  poor, 
Imprison'd,  and  in  scarcity  of  friends, 
I    clear'd    him    with   five   talents :     greet   him    from 

me; 
Bid  him  suppose  some  good  necessity 
Touches  his  friend,  which  craves  to  be  remember'd 
With  those  five  talents.  [Exit  Serz:]   [To  Flaz:]    That 

had,  give  't  these  fellows 
To  whom  'tis  instant  due.     Ne'er  speak  or  think 
That  Timon's  fortunes  'mong  his  friends  can  sink. 
Flaz'.  I   would    I   could   not   think   it:    that   thought   is 

bounty's  foe;  239 

Being  free  itself,  it  thinks  all  others  so.       [Exeunt. 


53 


Actlll.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  Of 

ACT   THIRD. 

Scene  I. 

A  room  in  LucuIIus's  house. 

Flaniinius  zvaiting.     Enter  a  Servant  to  hiiv. 

Serv.  I  have  told  my  lord  of  yon  ;  he  is  coming  down 

to  yon. 
Flam,  I  thank  yon,  sir. 

Enter  Lueiilliis. 

Serv.  Here  's  my  lord. 

Lucid.  {Aside^  One  of  Lord  Timon's  men?  a  gift,  I 
warrant.  Why,  this  hits  right ;  I  dreamt  of  a 
silver  basin  and  ewer  to-night.  Flaminius,  hon- 
est Flaminius ;  you  are  very  respectively  wel- 
come, sir.  Fill  me  some  wine.  \Exit  Servant. \ 
And  how  does  that  honourable,  complete,  free-  lo 
hearted  gentleman  of  Athens,  thy  very  bountiful 
good  lord  and  master? 

Flam.  FTis  health  is  well,  sir. 

Lucnl.  I  am  right  glad  that  his  health  is  well,  sir: 
and  what  hast  thou  there  under  thy  cloak,  pretty 
Flaminius  ? 

Flam.  Faith,  nothing  but  an  empty  box,  sir ;  which, 
in  my  lord's  behalf,  I  come  to  entreat  your  hon- 
our to  supply ;  who,  having  great  and  instant 
occasion  to  use  fifty  talents,  hath  sent  to  your  20 
lordship  to  furnish  him,  nothing  doubting  your 
present  assistance  therein. 

Lucul.  La,  la,  la,  la !  '  nothing  doubting,'  says  he  ? 
Alas,  good  lord !    a  noble  gentleman  'tis,  if  he 

54 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  III.  Sc.  i. 

would  not  keep  so  good  a  house.  Many  a 
time  and  often  I  ha'  dined  with  him,  and  told 
him  on  't ;  and  come  again  to  supper  to  him,  of 
purpose  to  have  him  spend  less ;  and  yet  he 
would  embrace  no  counsel,  take  no  warning  by 
my  coming.  Every  man  has  his  lault,  and  hon-  30 
esty  is  his:  I  ha'  told  him  on 't,  but  I  could 
ne'er  get  him  from  't. 

Re-enter  Servant,  zi'ith  zviiie. 

Sen:  Please  your  lordship,  here  is  the  wine. 

Lucid.  Flaminius,   I   have  noted  thee   always   wise. 
Here  's  to  thee. 

Flam.  Your  lordship  speaks  your  pleasure. 

Lucid.  I  have  observed  thee  always  for  a  towardly 
prompt  spirit — give  thee  thy  due — and  one  that 
know^s  wdiat  belongs  to  reason  ;  and  canst  use 
the  time  well,  if  the  time  use  thee  w^ell :  good  40 
parts  in  thee.  [To  Scrv.]  Get  you  gone,  sirrah. 
[Exit  Serz'.^  Draw  nearer,  honest  Flaminius. 
Thy  lord  's  a  bountiful  gentleman :  but  thou  art 
wdse ;  and  thou  knowest  well  enough,  although 
thou  comcst  to  me,  that  this  is  no  time  to  lend 
money,  especially  upon  bare  friendship,  wdthout 
security.  Here  's  three  solidares  for  thee  :  good 
boy,  wink  at  me,  and  say  thou  saw'st  me  not. 
Fare  thee  w^ell. 

Flam.  Is  't  possible  that  the  world  should  so  much  differ. 
And  we  alive  that  lived?  Fly,  damned  baseness,  51 
To  him  that  worships  thee ! 

[Throzviug  back  the  money. 

Lucid.  Ha!   now  I  see  thou  art  a  fool,  and  fit  for  thy 

master.  [Exit, 

55 


Act  III.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Flam.  May  these  add  to  the  number  that  may  scald  thee ! 
Let  molten  coin  be  thy  damnation, 
Thou  disease  of  a  friend,  and  not  himself ! 
Has  friendship  such  a  faint  and  milky  heart, 
It  turns  in  less  than  two  nights  ?     O  you  gods, 
I  feel  my  master's  passion !   this  slave,  60 

Unto  his  honour,  has  my  lord's  meat  in  him : 
Why  should  it  thrive  and  turn  to  nutriment, 
When  he  is  turn'd  to  poison? 
O,  may  diseases  only  work  upon  't ! 
And,  when  he  's  sick  to  death,  let  not  that  part  of 

nature 
Which  my  lord  paid  for,  be  of  any  power 
To  expel  sickness,  but  prolong  his  hour.  [Exit. 

Scene  II. 

A  public  place. 
Enter  Lucius,  zvith  three  Strangers. 

Luc.  Who,  the  Lord  Timon  ?  he  is  my  very  good 
friend,  and  an  honourable  gentleman. 

First  Stran.  We  know  him  for  no  less,  though  we 
are  but  strangers  to  him.  But  I  can  tell  you 
one  thing,  my  lord,  and  which  I  hear  from 
common  rumours :  now  Lord  Timon's  happy 
hours  are  done  and  past,  and  his  estate  shrinks 
from  him. 

Luc.  Fie,  no,  do  not  believe  it;    he  cannot  want  for 

money.  10 

Sec.  Stran.  But  believe  you  this,  my  lord,  that  not 
long  ago  one  of  his  men  was  with  the  Lord 
Lucullus  to  borrow  so  many  talents ;  nay,  urged 

56 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  III.  Sc.  ii. 

extremely  for  't,  and  showed  what  necessity  be- 
longed to  't,  and  yet  was  denied. 

Liic.  How ! 

Sec.  S trail.   I  tell  you,  denied,  my  lord. 

Luc.  What  a  strangle  case  was  that!  now,  before 
the  gods,  I  am  ashamed  on  't.  Denied  that 
honourable  man  !  there  was  very  little  honour  20 
showed  in  't.  For  my  own  part,  I  must  needs 
confess,  I  have  received  some  small  kindnesses 
from  him,  as  money,  plate,  jewels,  and  such-like 
trifles,  nothing  comparing  to  his ;  yet,  had  he 
mistook  him  and  sent  to  me,  I  should  ne'er  have 
denied  his  occasion  so  many  talents. 

Enter  ServUius. 

Scr.  vSee,  by  good  hap,  yonder  's  my  lord  ;  I  have 
sweat  to  see  his  honour.     My  honoured  lord ! 

Luc.  Servilius !    you  are  kindly  met,  sir.     Fare  thee 

well :    commend  me  to  thy  honourable  virtuous     33 
lord,  my  very  exquisite  friend. 

Scr.  i\Iay  it  please  your  honour,  my  lord  hath  sent — 

Luc.  Fla!  what  has  he  sent?  I  am  so  much  en- 
deared to  that  lord ;  he  's  ever  sending :  how 
shall  I  thank  him,  think'st  thou  ?  And  what  has 
he  sent  now? 

Scr.  Has  only  sent  his  present  occasion  now,  my 
lord ;  requesting  your  lordship  to  supply  his  in- 
stant use  with  so  many  talents. 

Luc.  I  know  his  lordship  is  but  merry  wath  me;  40 

He  cannot  want  fifty  five  hundred  talents. 

Ser.  But  in  the  mean  time  he  wants  less,  my  lord. 
If  his  occasion  wxre  not  virtuous, 

57 


Act  III.  Sc.  ii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

I  should  not  urge  it  half  so  faithfully. 

Luc.  Dost  thou  speak  seriously,  Servilius? 

Ser.  Upon  my  soul,  'tis  true,  sir. 

Luc.  What  a  wicked  beast  was  I  to  disfurnish  myself 
against  such  a  good  time,  when  I  might  ha' 
shown  myself  honourable !  how  unluckily  it  hap- 
pened, that  I  should  purchase  the  day  before  for  50 
a  little  part,  and  undo  a  great  deal  of  honour! 
Servilius,  now,  before  the  gods,  I  am  not  able 
to  do — the  more  beast,  I  say  : — I  was  sending  to 
use  Lord  Timon  myself,  these  gentlemen  can 
witness  ;  but  I  would  not,  for  the  wealth  of  Ath- 
ens, I  had  done  't  now.  Commend  me  bounti- 
fully to  his  good  lordship ;  and  I  hope  his  hon- 
our will  conceive  the  fairest  of  me,  because  I 
have  no  power  to  be  kind  :  and  tell  him  this  from 
me,  I  count  it  one  of  my  greatest  afflictions, 
say,  that  I  cannot  pleasure  such  an  honourable  60 
gentleman.  Good  Servilius,  will  you  befriend  me 
so  far  as  to  use  mine  own  words  to  him? 

Ser.  Yes,  sir,  I  shall. 

Luc.  I  '11  look  you  out  a  good  turn,  Servilius. 

[Exit  Servilius. 
True,  as  you  said,  Timon  is  shrunk  indeed ; 
And  he  that  's  once  denied  will  hardly  speed.     [Exit. 

First  Stran.  Do  you  observe  this,  Hostilius  ? 

Sec.  Stran,  Ay,  too  well. 

First  Stran.  Why,  this  is  the  world's  soul;    and  just  of 
the  same  piece 
Is  every  flatterer's  spirit.     Who  can  tell  him  70 

His  friend  that  dips  In  the  same  dish  ?   for,  in 
My  knowing,  Timon  has  been  this  lord's  father, 

58 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  III.  Sc.  iii. 

And  kept  his  credit  with  his  purse; 

Supported  his  estate ;    nay,  Timon's  money 

Has  paid  his  men  their  wages :   he  ne'er  drinks, 

But  Timon's  silver  treads  upon  his  Hp ; 

And  yet — O,  see  the  monstrousness  of  man 

When  he  looks  out  in  an  ungrateful  shape! — 

He  does  deny  him,  in  respect  of  his, 

What  charitable  men  afford  to  beggars.  80 

Third  Stran.  Religion  groans  at  it. 

First  Stran.  For  mine  own  part, 

I  never  tasted  Timon  in  my  life. 
Nor  came  any  of  his  bounties  over  me, 
To  mark  me  for  his  friend ;    yet,  I  protest. 
For  his  right  noble  mind,  illustrious  virtue, 
And  honourable  carriage, 
Had  his  necessity  made  use  of  me, 
I  would  have  put  my  wealth  into  donation. 
And  the  best  half  should  have  return'd  to  him, 
So  much  I  love  his  heart :   but,  I  perceive,  90 

Men  must  learn  now  with  pity  to  dispense ; 
For  policy  sits  above  conscience.  [Exeunt. 

Scene  III. 

A  room  in  Sempronius's  house. 

Enter  Sempronius,  and  a  Servant  of  Timon's. 

Sem.  Must  he  needs  trouble  me  in  't, — hum ! — 'bove  all 
others  ? 
He  might  have  tried  Lord  Lucius  or  Lucullus ; 
And  now  Ventidius  is  wealthy  too, 
W^hom  he  redeem'd  from  prison :   all  these 
Owe  their  estates  unto  him. 

59 


Act  III.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Serv.  My  lord, 

They  have  all  been  touch'd  and  found  base  metal,  for 
They  have  all  denied  him. 

Sem.  How !  have  they  denied  him  ? 

Has  Ventidius  and  Lucullus  denied  him? 
And  does  he  send  to  me  ?     Three  ?  hum ! 
It  shows  but  little  love  or  judgement  in  him :  lo 

Must  I  be  his  last  refuge  ?  His  friends,  like  physicians, 
Thrive,  give  him  over  :  must  I  take  the  cure  upon  me  ? 
Has  much  disgraced  me  in  't ;   I  'm  angry  at  him, 
That  might  have  known  my  place  :  I  see  no  sense  for't, 
But  his  occasions  might  have  woo'd  me  first ; 
For,  in  my  conscience,  I  was  the  first  man 
That  e'er  received  gift  from  him : 
And  does  he  think  so  backwardly  of  me  now, 
That  I  '11  requite  it  last?     No: 

So  it  may  prove  an  argument  of  laughter  20 

To  the  rest,  and  'mongst  lords  I  be  thought  a  fool. 
I  'd  rather  than  the  worth  of  thrice  the  sum, 
Had  sent  to  me  first,  but  for  my  mind's  sake ; 
I  'd  such  a  courage  to  do  him  good.     But  now  return. 
And  with  their  faint  reply  this  answer  join; 
Who  bates  mine  honour  shall  not  know  my  coin. 

[Exit, 

Serv.  Excellent !  Your  lordship  's  a  goodly  villain. 
The  devil  knew  not  what  he  did  when  he  made 
man  politic ;  he  crossed  himself  by 't :  and  I 
cannot  think  but  in  the  end  the  villanies  of  man  30 
will  set  him  clear.  How  fairly  this  lord  strives 
to  appear  foul !  takes  virtuous  copies  to  be 
wicked;  like  those  that  under  hot  ardent  zeal 
Avould  set  whole  realms  on  fire: 
60 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  III.  Sc.  iv. 

Of  such  a  nature  is  his  poHtic  love. 

This  was  my  lord's  best  hope;  now  all  are  fled, 

Save  only  the  gods :  now  his  friends  are  dead, 

Doors,  that  w^ere  ne'er  acquainted  with  their  wards 

Many  a  bounteous  year,  must  be  employ'd 

Now  to  guard  sure- their  master.  40 

And  this  is  all  a  liberal  course  allows ; 

Who  cannot  keep  his  wealth  must  keep  his  house. 

[Exit. 

Scene  IV. 

A  hall  in  Tiriwn's  house. 

Enter  tzvo  Servants  of  Varro,  and  the  Servant  of  Lucius, 
meeting  Titus,  Hortensiiis,  and  other  Servants  of 
'Timons  creditors,  waiting  his  coming  out. 

First  Var.  Serv.  Well    met ;     good    morrow,    Titus    and 

Hortensius. 
Tit.  The  like  to  you,  kind  Varro. 
Hor.  Lucius ! 

What,  do  we  meet  together? 
Luc.  Serv.  Ay,  and  I  think 

One  business  does  command  us  all ;   for  mine 

Is  money. 
Tit.  So  is  theirs  and  ours. 

Enter  Philotus. 

Luc.  Serv.  And  Sir  Philotus  too ! 

Fhi.  Good  day  at  once. 

Luc.  Serv.  Welcome,  good  brother. 

What  do  you  think  the  hour  ? 
Phi.  Labouring  for  nine. 

61 


Act  ill.  Sc.  iv.  '  THE  LIFE  OF 

Luc.  Serv.  So  much  ? 

Phi.  Is  not  my  lord  seen  yet? 

Luc.  Serv.  Not  yet. 

Phi.  I  wonder  on  't ;  he  was  wont  to  shine  at  seven.      lo 

Luc.  Serv.  Ay,  but  the  days  are  wax'd  shorter  with  him: 

You  must  consider  that  a  prodigal  course 

Is  like  the  sun's ;   but  not,  like  his,  recoverable. 

I  fear 

'Tis  deepest  winter  in  Lord  Timon's  purse ; 

That  is,  one  may  reach  deep  enough  and  yet 

Find  little. 
Phi.  I  am  of  your  fear  for  that. 

Tit.  I  '11  show  you  how  to  observe  a  strange  event. 

Your  lord  sends  now  for  money. 
Hot.  Most  true,  he  does. 

Tit.  And  he  wears  jewels  now  of  Timon's  gift,  20 

For  which  I  wait  for  money. 
Hot.  It  is  against  my  heart. 
Luc.  Serv.  Mark,  how  strange  it  shows, 

Timon  in  this  should  pay  more  than  he  owes : 

And  e'en  as  if  your  lord  should  wear  rich  jewels, 

And  send  for  money  for  'em. 
Hor.  I  'm  weary  of  this  charge,  the  gods  can  witness : 

I  know  my  lord  hath  spent  of  Timon's  wealth. 

And  now  ingratitude  makes  it  worse  than  stealth. 
First  Var.  Serv.  Yes,    mine 's    three   thousand    crowns : 

what 's  yours  ? 
Luc.  Serv.  Five  thousand  mine.  30 

First  Var.  Serv.  'Tis  much  deep :  and  it  should  seem  by 
the  sum 

Your  master's  confidence  was  above  mine ; 

Else,  surely,  his  had  equall'd. 

6z 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  III.  Sc.  iv. 

Enter  Flaminius. 

Tit.  One  of  Lord  Timon's  men. 

Lite.  Scrz:  Flaminius !     Sir,   a   word :    pray,   is   my 

lord  ready  to  come  forth? 
Flam.  No,  indeed  he  is  not. 

Tit.  We  attend  his  lordship :   pray,  signify  so  much. 
Flam.  I  need  not  tell  him  that ;  he  knows  yoa  are  too 

diligent.  [Exit.  40 

Enter  Flavins  in  a  cloak,  muMed. 

Luc.  Serz'.  Ha !   is  not  that  his  steward  muffled  so  ? 

He  goes  away  in  a  cloud :   call  him,  call  him. 
Tit.  Do  you  hear,  sir  ? 
Sec,  Var.  Serv.  By  your  leave,  sir, — 
Flav,  What  do  ye  ask  of  me,  my  friend  ? 
Tit.  We  wait  for  certain  money  here,  sir. 
Flav.  Ay, 

If  money  were  as  certain  as  your  waiting, 

'Twas  sure  enough. 

Why  then  preferr'd  you  not  your  sums  and  bills, 

W^hen  your  false  masters  eat  of  my  lord's  meat?       50 

Then  they  could  smile  and  fawn  upon  his  debts. 

And  take  down  the  interest  in  their  gluttonous  maws. 

You  do  yourselves  but  wTong  to  stir  me  up  ; 

Let  me  pass  quietly  : 

Believe  't,  my  lord  and  I  have  made  an  end ; 

I  have  no  more  to  reckon,  he  to  spend. 
Luc.  Serv.  Ay,  but  this  answer  will  not  serve. 
Flav.  If  'twill  not  serve,  'tis  not  so  base  as  you  ; 

For  you  serve  knaves.  [Exit. 

First  Var.  Serv.  Flow !      v.hat     does     his    cashiered     60 

worship  mutter  ? 

63 


Act  III.  Sc.  iv.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Sec.  Var.  Serv.  No  matter  what ;  he  's  poor,  and  that 's 
revenge  enough.  Who  can  speak  broader  than 
he  that  has  no  house  to  put  his  head  in?  such 
may  rail  against  great  buildings. 

Enter  ServUius. 

Tit.  O,  here  's  Servilius ;  now  we  shall  know  some 
answer. 

Ser.  If  I  might  beseech  you,  gentlemen,  to  repair  some 
other  hour,  I  should  derive  much  from  't ;  for, 
take  't  of  my  soul,  my  lord  leans  wondrously  to  70 
discontent :  his  comfortable  temper  has  forsook 
him ;  he 's  much  out  of  health  and  keeps  his 
chamber. 

Luc.  Scrv.  Many  do  keep  their  chambers  are  not  sick : 
And  if  it  be  so  far  beyond  his  health, 
Methinks  he  should  the  sooner  pay  his  debts, 
And  make  a  clear  way  to  the  gods. 

Ser.  Good  gods ! 

Tit.  V\^e  cannot  take  this  for  answer,  sir. 

Flam.    [Within]   Servilius,  help !    My  lord !  my  lord  ^ 

Enter  Timon,  in  a  rage;  Flaminius  following. 

Tim.  What,  are  my  doors  opposed  against  my  passage? 

Have  I  been  ever  free,  and  must  my  house  81 

Be  my  retentive  enemy,  my  gaol  ? 

The  place  which  I  have  feasted,  does  it  now, 

Like  all  mankind,  show  me  an  iron  heart  ? 
Luc.  Serv.  Put  in  now,  Titus. 
Tit.  My  lord,  here  is  my  bill. 
Luc.  Serv.  Here 's  mine. 
Hor.  And  mine,  my  lord. 

64 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  II!.  Sc.  iv. 

Both  Var.  Serv.  And  ours,  my  lord. 

Fhi.  All  our  bills.  90 

Tim.  Knock  me  down  with  'em :  cleave  me  to  the  girdle. 

Luc.  Scrv.  Alas,  my  lord, — 

Tim.  Cut  my  heart  in  sums. 

Tit.  IMine,  fifty  talents. 

Tim.  Tell  out  my  blood. 

Luc.  Scrv.  Five  thousand  crowns,  my  lord. 

Tim.  Five  thousand  drops  pays  that.     What 's  yours  ? — 
and  yours  ? 

First  Var.  Scrv.  ]\'Iy  lord, — 

Sec.  Var.  Scrv.  My  lord, — 

Tim.  Tear  me,  take  me,  and  the  gods  fall  upon  you !     100 

[Exit. 

Hor.  Faith,  I  perceive  our  masters  may  throw  their 
caps  at  their  money :  these  debts  may  well  be 
called  desperate  ones,  for  a  madman  owes  'em. 

[Exeunt. 

Re-enter  Tim  on  and  Flavins. 

Tim.  They  have  e'en  put  my  breath  from  me,  the 

slaves.     Creditors  ?  devils  ! 
Flav.  Aly  dear  lord, — 
Tim.  What  if  it  should  be  so  ? 
Flav.  My  lord,— 

Tim.  I  '11  have  it  so.     My  steward ! 

Flav.  Here,  my  lord.  no 

Tim.  So  fitly?    Go,  bid  all  my  friends  again, 

Lucius,  Lucullus,  and  Sempronius  :  all : 

I  '11  once  more  feast  the  rascals. 
Flav.  O  my  lord. 

You  only  speak  from  your  distracted  soul ; 

There  is  not  so  much  left,  to  furnish  out 

65 


Act  in.  Sc.  V.  THE  LIFE  OF 

A  moderate  table. 
Tim.  Be  it  not  in  thy  care ;  go, 

I  charge  thee,  invite  them  all :  let  in  the  tide 
Of  knaves  once  more ;  my  cook  and  I  '11  provide. 

[Exeunt, 

Scene  V. 

The  Senate-house. 
The  Senate  sitting. 

First  Sen.  My  lord,  you  have  my  voice  to  it ;  the  fault 's 
Bloody ;  'tis  necessary  he  should  die : 
Nothing  emboldens  sin  so  much  as  mercy. 

Sec.  Sen.  Most  true  ;  the  law  shall  bruise  him. 

Enter  Alcihiades,  attended. 

Alcib.  Honour,  health,  and  compassion  to  the  senate ! 

First  Sen.  Now,  captain  ? 

Alcib.  I  am  an  humble  suitor  to  your  virtues  ; 
For  pity  is  the  virtue  of  the  law, 
And  none  but  tyrants  use  it  cruelly. 
It  pleases  time  and  fortune  to  lie  heavy  lo 

Upon  a  friend  of  mine,  who  in  hot  blood 
Hath  stepp'd  into  the  law,  which  is  past  depth 
To  those  that  without  heed  do  plunge  into  't. 
He  is  a  man,  setting  his  fate  aside, 
Of  comely  virtues : 

Nor  did  he  soil  the  fact  with  cowardice — 
An  honour  in  him  which  buys  out  his  fault — 
But  with  a  noble  fury  and  fair  spirit, 
Seeing  his  reputation  touch 'd  to  death, 
He  did  oppose  his  foe :  20 

66 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  III.  Sc.  v. 

And  with  such  sober  and  unnoted  passion 
He  did  behave  his  anger,  ere  'twas  spent, 
As  if  he  had  but  proved  an  argument. 

First  Sen.  You  undergo  too  strict  a  paradox, 
Striving  to  make  an  ugly  deed  look  fair : 
Your  w^ords  have  took  such  pains,  as  if  they  labour'd 
To  bring  manslaughter  into  form,  and  set  quarrelling 
Upon  the  head  of  valour  ;  which  indeed 
Is  valour  misbegot  and  came  into  the  w^orld 
When  sects  and  factions  were  newly  born :  30 

He  's  truly  valiant  that  can  wisely  suffer 
The  w^orst  that  man  can  breathe,  and  make  his  wTongs 
His  outsides,  to  wear  them  like  his  raiment,  carelessly, 
And  ne'er  prefer  his  injuries  to  his  heart, 
To  bring  it  into  danger. 
If  wrongs  be  evils  and  enforce  us  kill, 
What  folly  'tis  to  hazard  life  for  ill ! 

Alcib.  My  lord, — 

First  Sen.  You  cannot  make  gross  sins  look  clear : 

To  revenge  is  no  valour,  but  to  bear. 

Alcib.  My  lords,  then,  under  favour,  pardon  me,  40 

If  I  speak  like  a  captain. 

Why  do  fond  men  expose  themselves  to  battle, 
And  not  endure  all  threats  ?  sleep  upon  't 
And  let  the  foes  quietly  cut  their  throats. 
Without  repugnancy?    If  there  be 
Such  valour  in  the  bearing,  what  make  we 
Abroad?  why  then  women  are  more  valiant 
That  stay  at  home,  if  bearing  carry  it ; 
And  the  ass  more  captain  than  the  lion,  the  felon 
Loaden  with  irons  wiser  than  the  judge,  50 

If  wisdom  be  in  suffering.     O  my  lords, 

67 


Act  III.  Sc.  V.  THE  LIFE  OF 

As  you  are  great,  be  pitifully  good : 

Who  cannot  condemn  rashness  in  cold  blood  ? 

To  kill,  I  grant,  is  sin's  extremest  gust ; 

But  in  defence,  by  mercy,  'tis  most  just. 

To  be  in  anger  is  impiety  ; 

But  who  is  man  that  is  not  angry  ? 

Weigh  but  the  crime  with  this. 

Sec.  Sen.  You  breathe  in  vain. 

Alcib.  In  vain !  His  service  done 

At  Lacedsemon  and  Byzantium  60 

Were  a  sufficient  briber  for  his  life. 

First  Sen.  What's  that? 

Alcib.  I  say,  my  lords,  has  done  fair  service, 

And  slain  in  fight  many  of  your  enemies  : 
How  full  of  valour  did  he  bear  himself 
In  the  last  conflict,  and  made  plenteous  wounds ! 

Sec.  Sen.  He  has  made  too  much  plenty  with  'em ; 
He  's  a  sworn  rioter :   he  has  a  sin 
That  often  drowns  him  and  takes  his  valour  prisoner : 
If  there  were  no  foes,  that  were  enough 
To  overcome  him  :  in  that  beastly  fury  70 

He  had  been  known  to  commit  outrages 
And  cherish  factions :  'tis  inferr'd  to  us. 
His  days  are  foul  and  his  drink  dangerous. 

First  Sen.  He  dies. 

Alcib.  Hard  fate  !  he  might  have  died  in  war 

My  lords,  if  not  for  any  parts  in  him — 
Though  his  right  arm  might  purchase  his  own  time 
And  be  in  debt  to  none — yet,  more  to  move  you. 
Take  my  deserts  to  his  and  join  'em  both : 
And,  for  I  know  your  reverend  ages  love 
Security,  I  '11  pawn  my  victories,  all  80 

68 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  HI.  Sc.  v. 

My  honours  to  you,  upon  his  good  returns. 

If  by  this  crime  he  owes  the  law  his  hfe, 

Why,  let  the  war  receive  't  in  valiant  gore ; 

For  law  is  strict,  and  war  is  nothing  more. 
First  Sen.  We  are  for  law :  he  dies  ;   urge  it  no  more, 

On  height  of  our  displeasure :    friend  or  brother, 

He  forfeits  his  own  blood  that  spills  another. 
Alcih.  IMust  it  be  so?   it  must  not  be.     My  lords, 

I  do  beseech  you,  know  me. 
Sec.  Sen.  How  !  90 

Alcih.  Call  me  to  your  remembrances. 
Tliird  Sen.  What ! 
Alcib.  I  cannot  think  but  your  age  has  forgot  me  ; 

It  could  not  else  be  I  should  prove  so  base 

To  sue  and  be  denied  such  common  grace : 

My  wounds  ache  at  you. 
First  Sen.  Do  you  dare  our  anger  ? 

Tis  in  few  words,  but  spacious  in  effect ; 

W^e  banish  thee  for  ever. 
Alcib.  Banish  me! 

Banish  your  dotage  ;  banish  usury. 

That  makes  the  senate  ugly.  100 

First  Sen.  If,  after  two  days'  shine,  Athens  contain  thee, 

Attend  our  weightier  judgement.    And,  not  to  swell 
our  spirit, 

He  shall  be  executed  presently.        [Exeunt  Senators. 
Alcib.  Nowthe  gods  keep  you  old  enough, that  youmay  live 

Only  in  bone,  that  none  may  look  on  you ! 

I  'm  worse  than  mad  :  I  have  kept  back  their  foes, 

While  they  have  told  their  money  and  let  out 

Their  coin  upon  large  interest,  I  myself 

Rich  only  in  large  hurts.    All  those  for  this  ? 

69 


Act  III.  Sc.  vi.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Is  this  the  balsam  that  the  usuring  senate  i  lo 

Pours  into  captains'  wounds  ?    Banishment ! 
It  comes  not  ill ;  I  hate  not  to  be  banish'd ; 
It  is  a  cause  worthy  my  spleen  and  fury, 
That  I  may  strike  at  Athens.    I  '11  cheer  up 
My  discontented  troops,  and  lay  for  hearts. 
'Tis  honour  with  most  lands  to  be  at  odds ; 
Soldiers  should  brook  as  little  wrongs  as  gods.  [Exit. 

Scene  VI. 

A  banqueting-room  in  Timon's  house. 

Music.     Tables  set  out:  Servants  attending.    Enter  divers 
Lords,  Senators  and  others,  at  several  doors. 

First  Lord.  The  good  time  of  day  to  you,  sir. 

Sec.  Lord.  I  also  wish  it  to  you.  I  think  this  honour- 
able lord  did  but  try  us  this  other  day. 

First  Lord.  Upon  that  were  my  thoughts  tiring  when 
we  encountered :  I  hope  it  is  not  so  low  with  him 
as  he  made  it  seem  in  the  trial  of  his  several  friends. 

Sec,  Lord.  It  should  not  be,  by  the  persuasion  of  his 
new  feasting. 

First  Lord.  I  should  think  so:   he  hath  sent  me  an 

earnest  inviting,  which  many  my  near  occasions     lo 
did  urge  me  to  put  off ;  but  he  hath  conjured  me 
beyond  them,  and  I  must  needs  appear. 

Sec.  Lord.  In  like  manner  was  I  in  debt  to  my  Im- 
portunate business,  but  he  would  not  hear  my 
excuse.  I  am  sorry,  when  he  sent  to  borrow  of 
me,  that  my  provision  was  out. 

First  Lord.  I  am  sick  of  that  grief  too,  as  I  under- 
stand how  all  things  go. 
70 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  III.  Sc.  vi. 

Sec.  Lord.  Every  man  here  's  so.     What  would  he 

have  borrowed  of  you  ?  20 

First  Lord.  A  thousand  pieces. 
Sec.  Lord.  A  thousand  pieces  ! 
First  Lord.  What  of  you  ? 
Sec.  Lord.  He  sent  to  me,  sir, — Here  he  comes. 

Enter  Timon  and  Attendants. 

Tim.  With  all  my  heart,  gentlemen  both :  and  how 
fare  you  ? 

First  Lord.  Ever  at  the  best,  hearing  well  of  your 

lordship.  30 

Sec.  Lord.  The  swallow  follows  not  summer  more 
walling  than  we  your  lordship. 

Tim.  [Aside]  Nor  more  willingly  leaves  winter  ;  such 
summer-birds  are  men, — Gentlemen,  our  dinner 
will  not  recompense  this  long  stay  :  feast  your  ears 
with  the  music  awhile,  if  they  will  fare  so  harshly 
o'  the  trumpet's  sound ;   we  shall  to  't  presently. 

First  Lord.  I  hope  it  remains  not  unkindly  with  your 
lordship,  that  I  returned  you  an  empty  messenger. 

77m.  O,  sir,  let  it  not  trouble  you. 

Sec.  Lord.  My  noble  lord, — 

Tim.  Ay,  my  good  friend,  what  cheer?  40 

Sec.  Lord.  My  most  honourable  lord,  I  am  e'en  sick 
of  shame,  that,  when  your  lordship  this  other 
day  sent  to  me,  I  was  so  unfortunate  a  beggar. 

Tim.  Think  not  on  't,  sir. 

Sec.  Lord.  If  you  had  sent  but  two  hours  before — 

Tim,.  Let  it  not  cumber  your  better  remembrance. 
[The  banquet  brought  in.]  Come,  bring  in  all 
together. 

71 


Act  III.  Sc.  vi.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Sec.  Lord.  All  covered  dishes  ! 

First  Lord.  Royal  cheer,  I  warrant  you.  50 

Third  Lord.  Doubt  not  that,  if  money  and  the  season 
can  yield  it. 

First  Lord.  How  do  you?    What 's  the  news? 

Third  Lord.  Alcibiades  is  banished  :  hear  you  of  it? 

First  and  Sec.  Lords.  Alcibiades  banished  ! 

Third  Lord.   Tis  so,  be  sure  of  it. 

First  Lord.  How  ?  how  ? 

Sec.  Lord.  I  pray  you,  upon  what  ? 

Tim.  My  worthy  friends,  will  you  draw  near  ? 

Third  Lord.  I  '11  tell  you  more  anon.     Here  's  a  noble     60 
feast  toward. 

Sec.  Lord.  This  is  the  old  man  still. 

Third  Lord.  Will't  hold?  will't  hold? 

Sec.  Lord.  It  does  :  but  time  will — and  so — 

Third  Lord.  I  do  conceive. 

Tim.  Each  man  to  his  stool,  with  that  spur  as  he 
would  to  the  lip  of  his  mistress :  your  diet  shall 
be  in  all  places  alike.  jNIake  not  a  city  feast 
of  it,  to  let  the  meat  cool  ere  we  can  agree 
upon  the  first  place :  sit,  sit.  The  gods  require  70 
our  thanks. 

You  great  benefactors,  sprinkle  our  society 
with  thankfulness.  For  your  own  gifts,  make 
yourselves  praised :  but  reserve  still  to  give,  lest 
your  deities  be  despised.  Lend  to  each  man 
enough,  that  one  need  not  lend  to  another ;  for, 
were  your  godheads  to  borrow  of  men,  men 
would  forsake  the  gods.  Make  the  meat  be  be- 
loved more  than  the  man  that  gives  it.  Let  no 
assembly  of  twenty  be  without  a  score  of  villains  ;     80 

7^ 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  III.  Sc.  vi. 

if  there  sit  twelve  women  at  the  table,  let  a  dozen 
of  them  be — as  they  are.  The  rest  of  your  fees, 
O  gods, — the  senators  of  Athens,  together  with 
the  common  lag  of  people, — what  is  amiss  in 
them,  you  gods,  make  suitable  for  destruction. 
For  these  my  present  friends,  as  they  are  to  me 
nothing,  so  in  nothing  bless  them,  and  to  nothing 
are  they  welcome. 
Uncover,  dogs,  and  lap. 

[The  dishes  arc  uncovered  and  seen  to 
be  full  of  warm  water. 

Some  speak.  What  does  his  lordship  mean  ?  90 

Some  other.  I  know  not. 

Tim.  May  you  a  better  feast  never  behold. 

You  knot  of  mouth-friends !    smoke  and  luke-warm 

water 
Is  your  perfection.    This  is  Timon's  last ; 
Who  stuck  and  spangled  you  with  flatteries, 
W^ashes  it  ofif,  and  sprinkles  in  your  faces 
Your  reeking  villany. 

[Throzving  the  zvatcr  in  their  faces. 
Live  loathed,  and  long, 
j\lost  smiling,  smooth,  detested  parasites, 
Courteous  destroyers,  affable  wolves,  meek  bears. 
You  fools  of  fortune,  trencher-friends,  time's  flies, 
Cap-and-knee  slaves,  vapours,  and  minute- jacks  !   10 1 
Of  man  and  beast  the  infinite  malady 
Crust  you  quite  o'er  !    What,  dost  thou  go  ? 
Soft !  take  thy  physic  first — thou  too — and  thou  : — 
Stay,  I  will  lend  thee  money,  borrow  none. 

[Throii's  the  dishes  at  them,  and  drives  them  out. 
What,  all  in  motion  ?    Henceforth  be  no  feast, 
Whereat  a  villain  's  not  a  welcome  guest, 

7.3 


Act  IV.  Sc.  L  THE  LIFE  OF 

Burn,  house!  sink,  Athens!  henceforth  hated  be 
Of  Timon  man  and  all  humanity !  [Exit. 

Rc-cntcr  the  Lords,  Senators,  &c. 

First  Lord.  How  now,  my  lords!  no 

Sec.  Lord.  Know  you  the  quality  of  Lord  Timon's  fury  ? 

Third  Lord.  Push  !  did  you  see  my  cap  ? 

Fourth  Lord.  I  have  lost  my  gown. 

First  Lord.  He  's  but  a  mad  lord,  and  nought  but 
humour  sways  him.  He  gave  me  a  jewel  th' 
other  day,  and  now  he  has  beat  it  out  of  my  hat. 
Did  you  see  my  jewel  ? 

Third  Lord.  Did  you  see  my  cap  ? 

Sec.  Lord,  Here  'tis. 

Fourth  Lord.  Here  lies  my  gown.  120 

First  Lord.  Let 's  make  no  stay. 

Sec.  Lord.  Lord  Timon  's  mad. 

Third  Lord.  I  feel  't  upon  my  bones. 

Fourth  Lord.  One  day  he  gives  us  diamonds,  next  day 
stones.  [Exeunt. 

ACT   FOURTH. 
Scene  I. 

Without  the  walls  of  Athens. 

Enter  Timon. 

Tim.  Let  me  look  back  upon  thee.    O  thou  wall, 
That  girdlest  in  those  wolves,  dive  in  the  earth. 
And  fence  not  Athens  !     ^Matrons,  turn  incontinent ! 
Obedience  fail  in  children  !    Slaves  and  fools. 
Pluck  the  grave  wrinkled  senate  from  the  bench, 

74 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  i. 

And  minister  in  their  steads  !    To  general  filths 
Convert  o'  the  instant,  green  virginity ! 
Do  't  in  your  parents'  eyes  !    Bankrupts,  hold  fast ; 
Rather  than  render  back,  out  with  your  knives, 
And   cut   your   trusters'    throats!     Bound    servants, 
steal !  lo 

Large-handed  robbers  your  grave  masters  are 
And  pill  by  law.    Alaid,  to  thy  master's  bed ! 
Thy  mistress  is  o'  the  brothel.    Son  of  sixteen, 
Pluck  the  lined  crutch  from  thy  old  limping  sire. 
With  it  beat  out  his  brains !    Piety  and  fear, 
Religion  to  the  gods,  peace,  justice,  truth, 
Domestic  awe,  night-rest  and  neighbourhood, 
Instruction,  manners,  mysteries  and  trades. 
Degrees,  observances,  customs  and  laws. 
Decline  to  your  confounding  contraries,  20 

And  let  confusion  live !    Plagues  incident  to  men, 
Your  potent  and  infectious  fevers  heap 
On  Athens,  ripe  for  stroke !     Thou  cold  sciatica, 
Cripple  our  senators,  that  their  limbs  may  halt 
As  lamely  as  their  manners !    Lust  and  liberty 
Creep  in  the  minds  and  marrows  of  our  youth. 
That  'gainst  the  stream  of  virtue  they  may  strive, 
And  drown  themselves  in  riot !    Itches,  blains, 
Sow  all  the  Athenian  bosoms,  and  their  crop 
Be  general  leprosy  !     Breath  infect  breath,  30 

That  their  society,  as  their  friendship,  may 
Be  merely  poison !    Nothing  I  '11  bear  from  thee 
But  nakedness,  thou  detestable  town ! 
Take  thou  that  too,  with  multiplying  bans ! 
Timon  will  to  the  woods,  where  he  shall  find 
The  unkindest  beast  more  kinder  than  mankind, 

75 


Act  IV.  Sc.  11.  THE  LIFE  OF 

The  gods  confound — hear  me,  you  good  gods  all  !— 
The  Athenians  both  within  and  out  that  wall ! 
And  grant,  as  Timon  grows,  his  hate  may  grow 
To  the  whole  race  of  mankind,  high  and  low !  40 

Amen.  [Exit. 

Scene  II. 

Athens.    Timon' s  house. 
Enter  Flavins,  zvith  two  or  three  Servants. 

First  Serv.  Hear  you, master  steward,  where  's  our  master? 
Are  w^e  undone ?  cast  off  ?  nothing  remaining? 

Flav.  Alack,  my  fellows,  what  should  I  say  to  you  ? 
Let  me  be  recorded  by  the  righteous  gods, 
I  am  as  poor  as  you. 

First  Serv.  Such  a  house  broke ! 

So  noble  a  master  fall'n  !    All  gone  !  and  not 
One  friend  to  take  his  fortune  by  the  arm. 
And  go  along  with  him  ! 

Sec.  Serv.  As  we  do  turn  our  backs 

From  our  companion  thrown  into  his  grave. 
So  his  familiars  to  his  buried  fortunes  10 

Slink  all  away  ;  leave  their  false  vows  with  him, 
Like  empty  purses  pick'd ;  and  his  poor  self, 
A  dedicated  beggar  to  the  air. 
With  his  disease  of  all-shunn'd  poverty. 
Walks,  like  contempt,  alone.    More  of  our  fellows. 

Enter  other  Servants. 
Flav.  All  broken  implements  of  a  ruin'd  house. 
Third  Serv.  Yet  do  our  hearts  wear  Timon's  livery ; 
That  see  I  by  our  faces  ;  we  are  fellows  still, 

76 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  ii. 

Serving  alike  in  sorrow :   leak'd  is  our  bark, 
And  we,  poor  mates,  stand  on  the  dying  deck,         20 
Hearing  the  surges  threat :   we  must  all  part 
Into  this  sea  of  air. 
Flav.  Good  fellows  all, 

The  latest  of  my  wealth  I  '11  share  amongst  you. 

Wherever  we  shall  meet,  for  Timon's  sake 

Let 's  yet  be  fellows  ;  let 's  shake  our  heads,  and  say, 

As  'twere  a  knell  unto  our  master's  fortunes, 

'  We  have  seen  better  days.'     Let  each  take  some. 

Nay,  put  out  all  your  hands.     Not  one  word  more : 

Thus  part  we  rich  in  sorrow,  parting  poor. 

[Servants  embrace,  and  part  several  ways, 
O,  the  fierce  wretchedness  that  glory  brings  us !      30 
Wlio  would  not  wish  to  be  from  wealth  exempt. 
Since  riches  point  to  misery  and  contempt? 
Who  would  be  so  mock'd  with  glory  ?  or  to  live 
But  in  a  dream  of  friendship  ? 
To  have  his  pomp  and  all  what  state  compounds 
But  only  painted,  like  his  varnish'd  friends? 
Poor  honest  lord,  brought  low  by  his  own  heart, 
Undone  by  goodness !     Strange,  unusual  blood 
When  man's  worst  sin  is,  he  does  too  much  good ! 
Who  then  dares  to  be  half  so  kind  again  ?  40 

For  bounty,  that  makes  gods,  does  still  mar  men. 
My  dearest  lord,  blest  to  be  most  accursed. 
Rich  only  to  be  wretched,  thy  great  fortunes 
Are  made  thy  chief  afflictions.     Alas,  kind  lord ! 
He  's  flung  in  rage  from  this  ingrateful  seat 
Of  monstrous  friends  ;  nor  has  he  with  him  to 
Supply  his  life,  or  that  which  can  command  it. 
I  '11  follow,  and  inquire  him  out : 

77 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

I  '11  ever  serve  his  mind  with  my  best  will ; 

Whilst  I  have  gold,  I  '11  be  his  steward  still.     [Exit. 

Scene  III. 

Woods  and  cave,  near  the  sea-shore. 

Enter  Timon,  from  the  cave. 

Tim.  O  blessed  breeding  sun,  draw  from  the  earth 
Rotten  humidity ;   below  thy  sister's  orb 
Infect  the  air !     Twinn'd  brothers  of  one  womb, 
Whose  procreation,  residence  and  birth 
Scarce  is  dividant,  touch  them  with  several  fortunes, 
The  greater  scorns  the  lesser :  not  nature. 
To  whom  all  sores  lay  siege,  can  bear  great  fortune 
But  by  contempt  of  nature. 
Raise  me  this  beggar  and  deny  't  that  lord, 
The  senator  shall  bear  contempt  hereditary,  lo 

The  beggar  native  honour. 
It  is  the  pasture  lards  the  rother's  sides. 
The  want  that  makes  him  lean.     Who  dares,  who 

dares, 
In  purity  of  manhood  stand  upright, 
And  say  *  This  man  's  a  flatterer?  '  if  one  be. 
So  are  they  all ;   for  every  grise  of  fortune 
Is  smooth'd  by  that  below :  the  learned  pate 
Ducks  to  the  golden  fool :   all  is  oblique ; 
There  's  nothing  level  in  our  cursed  natures 
But  direct  villany.     Therefore  be  abhorr'd  20 

All  feasts,  societies  and  throngs  of  men ! 
His  semblable,  yea,  himself,  Timon  disdains  : 
Destruction  fang  mankind !     Earth,  yield  me  roots ! 

[Digging. 

78 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  iii. 

Who  seeks  for  better  of  thee,  sauce  his  palate 
With  thy  most  operant  poison  !     What  is  here  ? 
Gold  ?  yellow,  glittering,  precious  gold  ?     No,  gods, 
I  am  no  idle  votarist :   roots,  you  clear  heavens ! 
Thus  much  of  this  will  make  black  white,  foul  fair, 
Wrong  right,  base  noble,  old  young,  coward  valiant. 
Ha,   you   gods !    why  this  ?    what  this,   you   gods  ? 

Why,  this  30 

Will  lug  your  priests  and  servants  from  your  sides. 
Pluck  stout  men's  pillows  from  below  their  heads : 
This  yellow  slave 

Will  knit  and  break  religions  ;  bless  the  accursed ; 
Make  the  hoar  leprosy  adored ;   place  thieves, 
And  give  them  title,  knee  and  approbation 
With  senators  on  the  bench :    this  is  it 
That  makes  the  wappen'd  widow  wed  again ; 
She,  whom  the  spital-house  and  ulcerous  sores 
Would  cast  the  gorge  at,  this  embalms  and  spices  40 
To  the  April  day  again.     Come,  damned  earth, 
Thou  common  whore  of  mankind,  that  put'st  odds 
Among  the  rout  of  nations,  I  will  make  thee 
Do  thy  right  nature.     [March   afar  off.]     Ha!    a 

drum  ?     Thou  'rt  quick, 
But  yet  I  '11  bury  thee :  thou  'It  go,  strong  thief, 
When  gouty  keepers  of  thee  cannot  stand : 
Nay,  stay  thou  out  for  earnest.      [Keeping  some  gold. 

Enter  Alcihiades,  zvith  drum  and  fife,  in  zvarlike  manner; 
Phrynia  and  Timandra. 

Alcib.  What  art  thou  there?   speak. 

Tim.  A  beast,  as  thou  art.     The  canker  gnaw  thy  heart, 
For  showing  me  again  the  eyes  of  man ! 

79 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Alcih.  What  is  thy  name?     Is  man  so  hateful  to  thee,  50 

That  art  thyself  a  man  ? 
Tim.  I  am  misanthropes,  and  hate  mankind. 

For  thy  part,  I  do  wish  thou  wert  a  dog, 

That  I  might  love  thee  something. 
Alcih.  I  know  thee  well; 

But  in  thy  fortunes  am  unlearn'd  and  strange. 
Tim,  I  know  thee  too ;  and  more  than  that  I  know  thee 

I  not  desire  to  know.     Follow  thy  drum  ; 

With  man's  blood  paint  the  ground,  gules,  gules : 

Religious  canons,  civil  laws  are  cruel ;  59 

Then  what  should  war  be  ?     This  fell  whore  of  thine 

Hath  in  her  more  destruction  than  thy  sword, 

For  all  her  cherubin  look. 
Phry.  Thy  lips  rot  off! 

Tim.  I  will  not  kiss  thee ;  then  the  rot  returns 

To  thine  own  lips  again. 
Alcih.  How  came  the  noble  Timon  to  this  change? 
Tim.  As  the  moon  does,  by  wanting  light  to  give : 

But  then  renew  I  could  not,  like  the  moon ; 

There  were  no  suns  to  borrow  of. 
Alcih.  Noble  Timon, 

What  friendship  may  I  do  thee? 
Tim.  None,  but  to 

Maintain  my  opinion.  70 

Alcih.  What  is  it,  Timon? 
Tim.  Promise  me  friendship,  but  perform  none:    if 

thou  wilt  not  promise,  the  gods  plague  thee,  for 

thou  art  a  man :   if  thou  dost  perform,  confound 

thee,  for  thou  art  a  man ! 
Alcih.  I  have  heard  in  some  sort  of  thy  miseries. 
Tim.  Thou  saw'st  them  when  I  had  prosperity. 

80 


TIMON  or  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  iii. 

Alcib.  I  see  them  now ;   then  was  a  blessed  time. 

Tim.  As  thine  is  now,  held  with  a  brace  of  harlots. 

Timan.  Is  this  the  Athenian  minion  whom  the  world       80 
Voiced  so  regardfully  ? 

Tim.  Art  thou  Timandra  ? 

Timan.  Yes. 

Tim..  Be  a  whore  still :  they  love  thee  not  that  use  thee  ;' 
Give  them  diseases,  leaving  with  thee  their  lust. 
Make  use  of  thy  salt  hours :  season  the  slaves 
For  tubs  and  baths ;  bring  down  rose-cheeked  youth 
To  t^e  tub-fast  and  the  diet. 

Timan.  Hang  thee,  monster  ! 

Alcib.  Pardon  l^im,  sweet  Timandra,  for  his  wits 
Are  drown'd  and  lost  in  his  calamities. 
I  have  but  little  gold  of  late,  brave  Timon,  90 

The  want  whereof  doth  daily  make  revolt 
In  my  penurious  band :  I  have  heard,  and  grieved. 
How  cursed  Athens,  mindless  of  thy  worth, 
Forgetting  thy  great  deeds,  when  neighbour  states, 
But  for  thy  sword  and  fortune,  trod  upon  them — 

Tim.  I  prithee,  beat  thy  drum,  and  get  thee  gone. 

Alcih.  I  am  thy  friend  and  pity  thee,  dear  Timon. 

Tim.  How  dost  thou  pity  him  whom  thou  dost  trouble  ? 
I  had  rather  be  alone. 

Alcih.  Why,  fare  thee  well : 

Here  is  some  gold  for  thee. 

Tim.  Keep  it,  I  cannot  eat  it. 

Alcih.  When  I  have  laid  proud  Athens  on  a  heap —       loi 

Tim.  Warr'st  thou  'gainst  Athens  ? 

Alcih.  Ay,  Timon,  and  have  cause. 

Tim.  The  gods  confound  them  all  in  thy  conquest, 
And  thee  after,  when  thou  hast  conquer'd ! 

81 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Alcib,  Why  me,  Timon  ? 

Tim.  That  by  kilHng  of  villains 

Thou  wast  born  to  conquer  my  country. 
Put  up  thy  gold  :  go  on, — here  's  gold, — go  on  ; 
Be  as  a  planetary  plague,  when  Jove 
Will  o'er  some  high-viced  city  hang  his  poison 
In  the  sick  air :  let  not  thy  sword  skip  one :  no 

Pity  not  honour'd  age  for  his  white  beard ; 
He  is  an  usurer :  strike  me  the  counterfeit  matron ; 
It  is  her  habit  only  that  is  honest. 
Herself  's  a  bawd  :  let  not  the  virgin's  cheek 
Make  soft  thy  trenchant  sword ;   for  those  milk-paps, 
That  through  the  w^indow-bars  bore  at  men's  eyes, 
Are  not  within  the  leaf  of  pity  writ. 
But  set  them  down  horrible  traitors :    spare  not  the 

babe 
Whose  dimpled  smiles  from  fools  exhaust  their  mercy ; 
Think  it  a  bastard  whom  the  oracle  120 

Hath  doubtfully  pronounced  thy  throat  shall  cut, 
And  mince  it  sans  remorse  :  swear  against  objects  ; 
Put  armour  on  thine  ears  and  on  thine  eyes. 
Whose  proof  nor  yells  of  mothers,  maids,  nor  babes, 
Nor  sight  of  priests  in  holy  vestments  bleeding. 
Shall  pierce  a  jot.    There  's  gold  to  pay  thy  soldiers : 
Make  large  confusion ;  and,  thy  fury  spent, 
Confounded  be  thyself !     Speak  not,  be  gone. 

Alcib.  Hast  thou  gold  yet  ?  I '11  take  the  gold  thou  givest  me, 
Not  all  thy  counsel.  130 

T/m.  Dost  thou  or  dost  thou  not,  heaven's  curse  upon  thee ! 

Phr.  and  Timan.  Give  us  some  gold,  good  Timon :    hast 
thou  more? 

Tim.  Enough  to  make  a  whore  forswear  her  trade, 

82 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  iii. 

And  to  make  whores,  a  bawd.    Hold  up,  you  sluts, 
Your  aprons  mountant :  you  are  not  oathable ; 
Although,  I  know,  you  '11  swear,  terribly  swear. 
Into  strong  shudders  and  to  heavenly  agues, 
The  immortal  gods  that  hear  you  ;   spare  your  oaths, 
I  '11  trust  to  your  conditions  :  be  whores  still ; 
And  he  whose  pious  breath  seeks  to  convert  you, 
Be  strong  in  whore,  allure  him,  burn  him  up ;        141 
Let  your  close  fire  predominate  his  smoke, 
And  be  no  turncoats  :  yet  may  your  pains,  six  months. 
Be  quite  contrary :   and  thatch  your  poor  thin  roofs 
With  burdens  of  the  dead ;— some  that  were  hang'd. 
No  matter: — wear  them,  betray  wath  them:    whore 

still ; 
Paint  till  a  horse  may  mire  upon  your  face : 
A  pox  of  wrinkles  ! 
rhr.  and  Timan.  Well,  more  gold:   what  then? 

Believe  't  that  we  '11  do  any  thing  for  gold.  150 

Tim.  Consumptions  sow- 
In  hollow  bones  of  man  ;  strike  their  sharp  shins. 
And  mar  men's  spurring.    Crack  the  lawyer's  voice. 
That  he  may  never  more  false  title  plead, 
Nor  sound  his  quillets  shrilly :  hoar  the  flamen, 
That  scolds  against  the  quality  of  flesh 
And  not  believes  himself :   down  with  the  nose, 
Down  with  it  flat ;  take  the  bridge  quite  away 
Of  him  that,  his  particular  to  foresee. 
Smells    from   the    general    weal:     make   curl'd-pate 
ruffians  bald ;  i^o 

And  let  the  unscarr'd  braggarts  of  the  war 
Derive  some  pain  from  you  :  plague  all ; 
That  your  activity  may  defeat  and  quell 
83 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

The  source  of  all  erection.    There  's  more  gold : 
Do  you  damn  others,  and  let  this  damn  you, 
And  ditches  grave  you  all ! 
Phr.  and  Tiinan.  ]\[ore  counsel  with  more  money,  bounte- 
ous Timon. 
Tim.  ]\Iore  whore,  more  mischief  first;   I  have  given  you 

earnest. 
Alcih.  Strike   up   the   drum   towards   Athens !    Farewell, 
Timon : 
If  I  thrive  well,  I  '11  visit  thee  again.  170 

Tim.   If  I  hope  well,  I  '11  never  see  thee  more. 
Alcih.  I  never  did  thee  harm. 
Tim.  Yes,  thou  spokest  well  of  me. 

Alcih.  Call'st  thou  that  harm  ? 

Tim.  ^len  daily  find  it.    Get  thee  away,  and  take 

Thy  beagles  with  thee. 
Alcih.  We  but  offend  him.    Strike ! 

[Dnun  heats.    Exeunt  Alcibiades, 
Phrynia,  and  Timandra. 
Tim.  That  nature,  being  sick  of  man's  unkindness. 
Should  yet  be  hungry  !    Common  mother,  thou, 

[Digging. 
Whose  womb  unmeasurable  and  infinite  breast 
Teems,  and  feeds  all ;  whose  self-same  mettle, 
Whereof  thy  proud  child,  arrogant  man,  is  puff'd, 
Engenders  the  black  toad  and  adder  blue,  181 

The  gilded  newt  and  eyeless  venom'd  worm. 
With  all  the  abhorred  births  below  crisp  heaven 
Whereon  Hyperion's  quickening  fire  doth  shine ; 
Yield  him,  who  all  thy  human  sons  doth  hate, 
From  forth  thy  plenteous  bosom  one  poor  root !  . 
En  sear  thy  fertile  and  conceptions  womb. 

84 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  iii. 

Let  it  no  more  bring  out  ingrateful  man ! 
Go  great  with  tigers,  dragons,  wolves  and  bears ; 
Teem  with  new  monsters,  whom  thy  upward  face 
Hath  to  the  marbled  mansion  all  above  191 

Never  presented  ! — O,  a  root !    dear  thanks  ! — 
Dry  up  thy  marrows,  vines,  and  plough-torn  leas ; 
Whereof  ingrateful  man,  with  liquorish  draughts 
And  morsels  unctuous,  greases  his  pure  mind, 
That  from  it  all  consideration  slips ! 

Enter  ApernanUis. 

More  man?   plague,  plague! 
A  pern.  I  was  directed  hither :  men  report 

Thou  dost  afTect  my  manners,  and  dost  use  them. 

Tim.  'Tis  then  because  thou  dost  not  keep  a  dog,         200 
Whom  I  would  imitate  :  consumption  catch  thee  ! 

A  pern.  This  is  in  thee  a  nature  but  infected; 
A  poor  unmanly  melancholy  sprung 
From  change  of  fortune.  Why  this  spade  ?  this  place  ? 
This  slave-like  habit?   and  these  looks  of  care? 
Thy  flatterers  yet  wear  silk,  drink  wine,  lie  soft. 
Hug  their  diseased  perfumes  and  have  forgot 
That  ever  Timon  was.     Shame  not  these  woods 
By  putting  on  the  cunning  of  a  carper. 
Be  thou  a  flatterer  now,  and  seek  to  thrive  210 

By  that  which  hath  undone  thee :   hinge  thy  knee, 
And  let  his  very  breath  whom  thou  'It  observe 
Blow  ofj  thy  cap ;   praise  his  most  vicious  strain. 
And  call  it  excellent :   thou  wast  told  thus  ; 
Thou  gavest  thine  ears  like  tapsters  that  bade  welcome 
To  knaves  and  all  approachers :    'tis  most  just 
That  thou  turn  rascal ;   hadst  thou  wealth  again, 

85 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Rascals  should  have  't.     Do  not  assume  my  likeness. 

Tim.  Were  I  like  thee,  I  'Id  throw  away  myself. 

Apem.  Thou  hast  cast  away  thyself,  being  like  thyself,  -220 
A  madman  so  long,  now  a  fool.     What,  think'st 
That  the  bleak  air,  thy  boisterous  chamberlain. 
Will  put  thy  shirt  on  warm  ?  will  these  moss'd  trees, 
That  have  outlived  the  eagle,  page  thy  heels. 
And  skip  when  thou  point 'st  out  ?  will  the  cold  brook, 
Candied  with  ice,  caudle  thy  morning  taste. 
To  cure  thy  o'er-night's  surfeit?     Call  the  creatures 
Whose  naked  natures  live  in  all  the  spite 
Of  wreakful  heaven,  whose  bare  unhoused  trunks. 
To  the  conflicting  elements  exposed,  230 

Answer  mere  nature  ;   bid  them  flatter  thee ; 
O,  thou  shalt  find — 

Tim.  A  fool  of  thee  :    depart. 

Apcm.  I  love  thee  better  now  than  e'er  I  did. 

Tim.  I  hate  thee  worse. 

Apem.  Why  ? 

Tim.  Thou  flatter'st  misery. 

Apem.  I  flatter  not,  but  say  thou  art  a  caitiflf. 

Tim.  Why  dost  thou  seek  me  out? 

Apem.  To  vex  thee. 

Tim.  Always  a  villain's  oflice  or  a  fool's. 
Dost  please  thyself  in  't  ? 

Apem.  Ay. 

Tim.  What !   a  knave  too  ? 

Apem.  If  thou  didst  put  this  sour-cold  habit  on 

To  castigate  thy  pride,  'twere  well :  but  thou         240 
Dost  it  enforcedly ;   thou  'Idst  courtier  be  again, 
Were  thou  not  beggar.     Willing  misery 
Outlives  incertain  pomp,  is  crown'd  before : 

86 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  Hi. 

The  one  is  filling  still,  never  complete, 
The  other  at  high  wish :   best  state,  contentless, 
Hath  a  distracted  and  most  wretched  being, 
Worse  than  the  worst,  content. 
Thou  shouldst  desire  to  die,  being  miserable. 
Tim.  Not  by  his  breath  that  is  more  miserable. 

Thou  art  a  slave,  whom  Fortune's  tender  arm      250 
With  favour  never  clasp'd,  but  bred  a  dog. 
Hadst  thou,  like  us  from  our  first  swath,  proceeded 
The  sweet  degrees  that  this  brief  world  aflfords 
To  such  as  may  the  passive  drugs  of  it 
Freely  command,  thou  wouldst  have  plunged  thyself 
In  general  riot,  melted  down  thy  youth 
In  different  beds  of  lust,  and  never  learn'd 
The  icy  precepts  of  respect,  but  follow'd 
The  sugar'd  game  before  thee.     But  myself. 
Who  had  the  world  as  my  confectionary,  260 

The  mouths,  the  tongues,  the  eyes  and  hearts  of  men 
At  duty,  more  than  I  could  frame  employment ; 
That  numberless  upon  me  stuck,  as  leaves 
Do  on  the  oak,  have  with  one  winter's  brush 
Fell  from  their  boughs,  and  left  me  open,  bare 
For  every  storm  that  blows :   I,  to  bear  this, 
That  never  knew  but  better,  is  some  burden : 
Thy  nature  did  commence  in  sufferance,  time 
Hath  made  thee  hard  in  't.     Why  shouldst  thou  hate 


men 


They  never  flatter'd  thee :   what  hast  thou  given  ? 
If  thou  wilt  curse,  thy  father,  that  poor  rag,  271 

Must  be  thy  subject,  who  in  spite  put  stuff 
To  some  she  beggar  and  compounded  thee 
Poor  rogue  hereditary.     Hence,  be  gone ! 

87 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

If  thou  hadst  not  been  born  the  worst  of  men, 

Thou  hadst  been  a  knave  and  flatterer. 
Apem.  Art  thou  proud  yet? 

Tim.  Ay,  that  I  am  not  thee. 
Apem.  I,  that  I  was 

No  prodigal. 
Tim.  I,  that  I  am  one  now : 

Were  all  the  wealth  I  have  shut  up  in  thee, 

I  'Id  give  thee  leave  to  hang  it.     Get  thee  gone.     280 

That  the  whole  life  of  Athens  were  in  this ! 

Thus  would  I  eat  it.  [Eating  a  root. 

Apem.  Here ;    I  will  mend  thy  feast. 

[Offering  him  a  root. 
Tim.  First  mend  my  company  ;   take  away  thyself. 
Apem.   So  I  shall  mend  mine  own,  by  the  lack  of  thine. 
Tim.   Tis  not  well  mended  so,  it  is  but  botch'd ; 

If  not,  I  would  it  were. 
Apem.  What  wouldst  thou  have  to  Athens? 
Tim.  Thee  thither  in  a  whirlwind.     If  thou  wilt. 

Tell  them  there  I  have  gold ;   look,  so  I  have. 
Apem.  Here  is  no  use  for  gold. 
Tim.  The  best  and  truest ;     290 

For  here  it  sleeps,  and  does  no  hired  harm. 
Apem.  Where  liest  o'  nights,  Timon? 
Tim.  Under  that  's  above  me. 

Where  feed'st  thou  o'  days,  Apemantus? 
Apem.  Where  my  stomach  finds  meat ;   or,  rather, 

where  I  eat  it. 
Tim.  W^ould     poison     were     obedient     and     knew     my 

mind ! 
Apem.  Where  wouldst  thou  send  it? 
Tim.  To  sauce  thy  dishes. 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  iii. 

Apem.  The  middle  of  humanity  thou  never  knewest,  300 
but  the  extremity  of  both  ends :  when  thou  wast 
in  thy  gilt  and  thy  perfume,  they  mocked  thee 
for  too  much  curiosity  ;  in  thy  rags  thou  know'st 
none,  but  art  despised  for  the  contrary.  There  's 
a  medlar  for  thee ;   eat  it. 

Tim.  On  what  I  hate  I  feed  not. 

Apem.  Dost  hate  a  medlar? 

Tim.  Ay,  though  it  look  like  thee. 

Apem.  An  thou  hadst  hated  meddlers  sooner,  thou 

shouldst  have  loved  thyself  better  now.     What  310 
man  didst  thou  ever  know  unthrift  that  was  be- 
loved after  his  means? 

Tim.  Who,  without  those  means  thou  talk'st  of,  didst 
thou  ever  know  beloved? 

Apem.  IMyself. 

Tim.  I  understand  thee ;    thou  hadst  some  means  to 
keep  a  dog. 

Apem.  ^\llat  things  in  the  world  canst  thou  nearest 
compare  to  thy  flatterers  ? 

Tim.  \\'omen  nearest ;   but  men,  men  are  the  things  320 
themselves.     What   wouldst  thou   do   with   the 
world,  Apemantus,  if  it  lay  in  thy  power  ? 

Apem.  Give  it  the  beasts,  to  be  rid  of  the  men. 

Tim.  Wouldst  thou  have  thyself  fall  in  the  confusion 
of  men,  and  remain  a  beast  with  the  beasts  ? 

Apem.  Ay,  Timon. 

Tim.  A  beastly  ambition,  which  the  gods  grant  thee 
t'  attain  to !    If  thou  wert  the  lion,  the  fox  would 
beguile  thee :    if  thou  wert  the  lamb,  the  fox 
would  eat  thee:    if  thou  wert  the  fox,  the  lion  33 d 
would    suspect    thee,    when    peradventure    thou 

89 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

wert  accused  by  the  ass :  if  thou  wert  the  ass, 
thy  dulness  would  torment  thee,  and  still  thou 
livedst  but  as  a  breakfast  to  the  wolf:  if  thou 
wert  the  wolf,  thy  greediness  would  afflict  thee, 
and  oft  thou  shouldst  hazard  thy  life  for  thy 
dinner :  wert  thou  the  unicorn,  pride  and  wrath 
would  confound  thee,  and  make  thine  own  self 
the  conquest  of  thy  fury :  wert  thou  a  bear, 
thou  wouldst  be  killed  by  the  horse :  wert  thou  340 
a  horse,  thou  wouldst  be  seized  by  the  leopard : 
wert  thou  a  leopard,  thou  wert  german  to  the 
lion,  and  the  spots  of  thy  kindred  were  jurors  on 
thy  life :  all  thy  safety  were  remotion.  and  thy 
defence  absence.  What  beast  couldst  thou  be 
that  were  not  subject  to  a  beast?  and  what  a 
beast  art  thou  already,  that  seest  not  thy  loss  in 
transformation ! 

Apem.  If  thou  couldst  please  me  with  speaking  to 

me,  thou  mightst  have  hit  upon  it  here  :  the  com-  350 
monwealth  of  Athens  is  become  a  forest  of  beasts. 

Tiui.  How  has  the  ass  broke  the  wall,  that  thou  art 
out  of  the  city? 

Apem.  Yonder  comes  a  poet  and  a  painter :  the 
plague  of  company  light  upon  thee !  I  will  fear 
to  catch  it,  and  give  way  :  when  I  know  not  what 
else  to  do,  I  '11  see  thee  again. 

Tim.  When  there  is  nothing  living  but  thee,  thou 
shalt  be  welcome.  I  had  rather  be  a  beggar's 
dog  than  Apemantus.  360 

Apem.  Thou  art  the  cap  of  all  the  fools  alive. 

Tim.  Would  thou  wert  clean  enough  to  spit  upon ! 

Apem.  A  plague  on  thee !  thou  art  too  bad  to  curse. 
"90 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  lii. 

Tim.  All  villains  that  do  stand  by  thee  are  pure. 

Apem.  There  is  no  leprosy  but  what  thou  speak'st. 

Tim.  If  I  name  thee. 

I  '11  beat  thee ;  but  I  should  infect  my  hands. 

Apem.  I  would  my  tongue  could  rot  them  off ! 

Tim.  Away,  thou  issue  of  a  mangy  dog !  370 

Choler  dost  kill  me  that  thou  art  alive ; 
I  swoon  to  see  thee. 

Apem.  Would  thou  wouldst  burst ! 

Tim.  Away,  thou  tedious  rogue !  I  am  sorry  I  shall 

lose  a  stone  by  thee.  [Throzvs  a  stone  at  him, 

Apem.  Beast! 

Tim.  Slave! 

Apem.  Toad! 

Tim.  Rogue,  rogue,  rogue ! 

I  am  sick  of  this  false  world,  and  will  love  nought 

But  even  the  mere  necessities  upon  't.  380 

Then,  Timon,  presently  prepare  thy  grave ; 

Lie  where  the  light  foam  of  the  sea  may  beat 

Thy  grave-stone  daily  :  make  thine  epitaph, 

That  death  in  me  at  others'  lives  may  laugh. 

[To  the  gold]      O  thou  sweet  king-killer,  and  dear 

divorce 
'Tw4xt  natural  son  and  sire  !  thou  bright  defiler 
Of  Hymen's  purest  bed !   thou  valiant  Mars ! 
Thou  ever  young,  fresh,  loved,  and  delicate  wooer, 
Whose  blush  doth  thaw  the  consecrated  snow 
That  lies  on  Dian's  lap  !  thou  visible  god,  390 

That  solder'st  close  impossibilities. 
And   makest   them   kiss!    that    speak'st   with    every 

tongue. 
To  every  purpose  !    O  thou  touch  of  hearts ! 

91 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Think  thy  slave  man  rebels  ;  and  by  thy  virtue 

Set  them  into  confounding  odds,  that  beasts 

]\Iay  have  the  world  in  empire ! 
Apem.  \\^ould  'twere  so ! 

But  not  till  I  am  dead.    I  '11  say  thou  has^  gold  : 

Thou  wilt  be  throng'd  to  shortly. 
Tim.  Throng'd  to ! 

Apem.  Ay. 

Tim.  Thy  back,  I  prithee. 

Apem.  Live,  and  love  thy  misery  ! 

Tim.  Long  live  so,  and  so  die !     [Exit  Apemantus.^     I  am 
quit. 

Moe  things  like  men  ?    Eat,  Timon,  and  abhor  them. 

Enter  Banditti. 

First  Ban.  ^^llere  should  he  have  this  gold  ?  It  is 
some  poor  fragment,  some  slender  ort  of  his 
remainder :  the  mere  want  of  gold,  and  the 
falling-from  of  his  friends,  drove  him  into  this 
melancholy. 

Sec.  Ban.  It  is  noised  he  hath  a  mass  of  treasure. 

Third  Ban.  Let  us  make  the  assay  upon  him:  if  he 
care  not  for  't,  he  will  supply  us  easily ;  if  he 
covetously  reserve  it,  how  shall 's  get  it?  41c 

Sec.  Ban.  True,  for  he  bears  it  not  about  him  ;  'tis  hid. 

First  Ban.  Is  not  this  he  ? 

Banditti.  Where? 

Sec.  Ban.  'Tis  his  description. 

Third  Ban.  He;  I  know  him. 

Banditti.  Save  thee,  Timon. 

Tim.  Now,  thieves  ? 

Banditti.  Soldiers,  not  thieves. 

92 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  iii. 

Titn.  Both  too ;  and  women's  sons. 

Banditti.  We  are  not  thieves,  but  men  that  much  do  want. 

Tim.  Your  greatest  want  is,  you  want  much  of  meat.    421 
Why    should   you    want?     Behold,    the    earth    hath 

roots ; 
Within  this  mile  break  forth  a  hundred  springs ; 
The  oaks  bear  mast,  the  briers  scarlet  hips  ; 
The  bounteous  housewife,  nature,  on  each  bush 
Lays  her  full  mess  before  you.    Want !  why  want  ? 

First  Ban.  We  cannot  live  on  grass,  on  berries,  water. 
As  beasts  and  birds  and  fishes. 

Tim.  Nor  on  the  beasts  themselves,  the  birds  and  fishes  ; 
You  must  eat  men.    Yet  thanks  I  must  you  con      430 
That  you  are  thieves  profess'd,  that  you  work  not 
In  holier  shapes :  for  there  is  boundless  theft 
In  limited  professions.    Rascal  thieves, 
Here  's  gold.    Go,  suck  the  subtle  blood  o'  the  grape, 
Till  the  high  fever  seethe  your  blood  to  froth. 
And  so  'scape  hanging :  trust  not  the  physician  ; 
His  antidotes  are  poison,  and  he  slays 
Aloe  than  you  rob  :  take  wealth  and  lives  together  ; 
Do  villany,  do,  since  you  protest  to  do  't. 
Like  workmen.    I  '11  example  you  with  thievery  :  440 
The  sun  's  a  thief,  and  with  his  great  attraction 
Robs  the  vast  sea :  the  moon  's  an  arrant  thief. 
And  her  pale  fire  she  snatches  from  the  sun  : 
The  sea  's  a  thief,  whose  liquid  surge  resolves 
The  moon  into  salt  tears  :  the  earth  's  a  thief. 
That  feeds  and  breeds  by  a  composture  stol'n 
From  general  excrement :  each  thing  's  a  thief : 
The  laws,  your  curb  and  whip,  in  their  rough  power 
Have  uncheck'd  theft.    Love  not  yourselves ;  away, 

93 


Act  IV.  Sc.  iii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Rob  one  another.    There  's  more  gold.     Cut  throats : 
All  that  you  meet  are  thieves  :  to  Athens  go,  45 1 

Break  open  shops ;  nothing  can  you  steal, 
But  thieves  do  lose  it :  steal  not  less  for  this 
I  give  you  ;  and  gold  confound  you  howsoe'er ! 
Amen. 

Third  Ban.  Has  almost  charmed  me  from  my  profes- 
sion by  persuading  me  to  it. 

First  Ban.  'Tis  in  the  malice  of  mankind  that  he 
thus  advises  us ;  not  to  have  us  thrive  in  our 
mystery.  460 

Sec.  Ban,  I  '11  believe  him  as  an  enemy,  and  give  over 
my  trade. 

First  Ban.  Let  us  first  see  peace  in  Athens :  there 
is  no  time  so  miserable  but  a  man  may  be  true. 

[Exeunt  Banditti. 

Enter  Flavins. 

Flav.  O  you  gods ! 

Is  yond  despised  and  ruinous  man  my  lord  ? 

Full  of  decay  and  failing  ?    O  monument 
\     And  wonder  of  good  deeds  evilly  bestow'd ! 
,  /     What  an  alteration  of  honour 

Has  desperate  want  made !  470 

J      What  viler  thing  upon  the  earth  than  friends 

Who  can  bring  noblest  minds  to  basest  ends  ! 

How  rarely  does  it  meet  with  this  time's  guise, 
*        When  man  was  wish'd  to  love  his  enemies  ! 

Grant  I  may  ever  love,  and  rather  woo 

Those  that  would  mischief  me  than  those  that  do ! 

Has  caught  me  in  his  eye :  I  will  present 

My  honest  grief  unto  him,  and,  as  my  lord, 

Still  serve  him  with  my  life.    My  dearest  master ! 

94 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  IV.  Sc.  Hi. 

Tim.  Away  !    what  are  thou  ? 

Flav.  Have  you  forgot  me,  sir?  480 

Tim.  Why  dost  ask  that  ?     I  have  forgot  all  men ; 

Then,  if  thou  grant'st  thou  'rt  a  man,  I  have  forgot 
thee. 

Flaz'.  An  honest  poor  servant  of  yours. 

Tim.  Then  I  know  thee  not : 

I  never  had  honest  man  about  me,  I ;   all 

I  kept  were  knaves,  to  serve  in  meat  to  villains. 

Flaz:  The  gods  are  witness, 

Ne'er  did  poor  steward  wear  a  truer  grief 
For  his  undone  lord  than  mine  eyes  for  you. 

Ti}}i.  What,  dost  thou  weep  ?  come  nearer ;  then  I  love  thee. 
Because  thou  art  a  woman,  and  disclaim'st  491 

Flinty  mankind,  whose  eyes  do  never  give 
But  thorough  lust  and  laughter.     Pity  's  sleeping : 
Strange  times,   that  weep  with   laughing,   not   with 
weeping ! 

Flaz'.  I  beg  of  you  to  know  me,  good  my  lord. 

To  accept  my  grief,  and  whilst  this  poor  wealth  lasts 
To  entertain  me  as  your  steward  still. 

Tim.  Had  I  a  steward. 

So  true,  so  just,  and  now  so  comfortable? 

It  almost  turns  my  dangerous  nature  mild.  500 

Let  me  behold  thy  face.     Surely  this  man 

Was  born  of  woman. 

Forgive  my  general  and  exceptless  rashness, 

You  perpetual-sober  gods  !     I  do  proclaim 

One  honest  man — mistake  me  not — but  one  ; 

No  m.ore,  I  pray, — and  he  's  a  steward. 

How  fain  would  I  have  hated  all  mankind ! 

And  thou  redeem'st  thyself :   but  all,  save  thee, 

95 


Act  IV.  Sc.  lii.  THE  LIFE  OF 

I  fell  with  curses. 

Methinks  thou  art  more  honest  now  than  wise ;      510 

For,  by  oppressing  and  betraying  me, 

Thou  mightst  have  sooner  got  another  service : 

For  many  so  arrive  at  second  masters, 

Upon  their  first  lord's  neck.     But  tell  me  true — 

For  I  must  ever  doubt,  though  ne'er  so  sure — 

Is  not  thy  kindness  subtle,  covetous. 

If  not  a  usuring  kindness  and  as  rich  men  deal  gifts, 

Expecting  in  return  twenty  for  one? 

Flav.  No,  my  most  worthy  master ;   in  whose  breast 

Doubt  and  suspect,  alas,  are  placed  too  late :  520 

You  should  have  fear'd  false  times  when  you  did  feast : 

Suspect  still  comes  where  an  estate  is  least. 

That  which  I  show,  heaven  knows,  is  merely  love, 

Duty  and  zeal  to  your  unmatched  mind, 

Care  of  your  food  and  living ;   and,  believe  it. 

My  most  honour'd  lord, 

For  any  benefit  that  points  to  me. 

Either  in  hope  or  present,  I  'Id  exchange 

For  this  one  wish,  that  you  had  power  and  wealth 

To  requite  me  by  making  rich  yourself.  530 

Tim.  Look  thee,  'tis  so !     Thou  singly  honest  man, 
Here,  take :   the  gods,  out  of  my  misery, 
Flave  sent  thee  treasure.     Go,  live  rich  and  happy : 
But  thus  condition'd :    thou  shalt  build  from  men. 
Hate  all,  curse  all,  show  charity  to  none. 
But  let  the  famish'd  flesh  slide  from  the  bone 
Ere  thou  relieve  the  beggar :   give  to  dogs 
\\' hat  thou  deniest  to  men  ;    let  prisons  swallow  'em, 
Debts  wither  'em  to  n@thing:    be  men  like  blasted 
woods, 

96 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  V.  Sc.  i. 

And  may  diseases  lick  up  their  false  bloods !  540 

And  so  farewell,  and  thrive. 
Flav.  O,  let  me  stay 

And  comfort  you,  my  master. 
Tim.  If  thou  hatest  curses 

Stay  not :   fly,  whilst  thou  art  blest  and  free : 

Ne'er  see  thou  man,  and  let  me  ne'er  see  thee. 

[Exeunt  severally. 

ACT  FIFTH. 
Scene  I. 

The  woods.     Before  Timon's  cave. 

Enter  Poet  and  Painter;    Timon  zvatching  them 
from  his  cave. 

Pain.  As  I  took  note  of  the  place,  it  cannot  be  far 
where  he  abides. 

Poet.  \Miat  's  to  be  thought  of  him  ?  does  the  rumour 
hold  for  true,  that  he  's  so  full  of  gold  ? 

Pain.  Certain  :  Alcibiades  reports  it ;  Phrynia  and 
Timandra  had  gold  of  him  :  he  likewise  enriched 
poor  straggling  soldiers  with  great  quantity : 
'tis  said  he  gave  unto  his  steward  a  mighty  sum. 

Poet.  Then  this  breaking  of  his  has  been  but  a  try 

for  his  friends.  10 

Pain.  Notl:ing  else :  you  shall  see  him  a  palm  in 
Athens  again,  and  flourish  with  the  highest. 
Therefore  'tis  not  amiss  we  tender  our  loves 
to  him  in  this  supposed-  distress  of  his :  it  will 
show  honestly  in  us,  and  is  very  likely  to  load 
our  purposes  with   what  they  travail   for,   if  it 

97 


Act  V.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

be    a   just    and    true    report    that    goes    of    his 
having. 

Poet.  What  have  you  now  to  present  unto  him? 

Pain.   Nothing  at  this  time  but  my  visitation  :   only  I     20 
will  promise  him  an  excellent  piece. 

Poet.  I  must  serve  him  so  too,  tell  him  of  an  intent 
that  's  coming  toward  him. 

Pain.  Good  as  the  best.  Promising  is  the  very  air  o' 
the  time :  it  opens  the  eyes  of  expectation :  per- 
formance is  ever  the  duller  for  his  act;  and,  but 
in  the  plainer  and  simpler  kind  of  people,  the 
deed  of  saying  is  quite  out  of  use.  To  promise 
is  most  courtly  and  fashionable :  performance  is 
a  kind  of  will  or  testament  which  argues  a  great  30 
sickness  in  his  judgement  that  makes  it. 

[Tinwn  eoines  from  his  cave,  behind. 

Tim.  [Aside\  Excellent  workman!  thou  canst  not 
paint  a  man  so  bad  as  is  thyself. 

Poet.  I  am  thinking  what  I  shall  say  I  have  provided 
for  him  :  it  must  be  a  personating  of  himself ;  a 
satire  against  the  softness  of  prosperity,  with  a 
discovery  of  the  infinite  flatteries  that  follow 
youth  and  opulency. 

Tim.    [Aside^    ]\Iust  thou  needs  stand  for  a  villain  in 

thine   own   work?    wilt   thou   whip   thine   own     40 
faults  in  other  men?     Do  so,  I  have  gold  for 
thee. 

Poet.  Nay,  let 's  seek  him  : 

Then  do  we  sin  against  our  own  estate, 
When  we  may  profit  meet,  and  come  too  late. 

Pain.  True ; 

Wlien  the  day  serves,  before  black-corner'd  night, 

98 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  V.  Sc.  i. 

Find  what  thou  want'st  by  free  and  offered  hght. 

Come. 
Tim.  [Aside]  I  '11  meet  you  at  the  turn.    What  a  god's  gold, 

That  he  is  worshipp'd  in  a  baser  temple  51 

Than  where  swine  feed ! 

'Tis  thou  that  rigg'st  the  bark  and  plough'st  the  foam, 

Settlest  admired  reverence  in  a  slave : 

To  thee  be  worship !  and  thy  saints  for  aye 

Be  crown 'd  with  plagues,  that  thee  alone  obey ! 

Fit  I  meet  them.  [Coming  forward. 

Poet.  Hail,  worthy  Timon  ! 

Paiii.  Our  late  noble  master ! 

Tim.  Have  I  once  lived  to  see  two  honest  men  ? 
Poet.  Sir,  60 

Having  often  of  your  open  bounty  tasted, 

Hearing  you  were  retired,  your  friends  fall'n  off. 

Whose  thankless  natures — O  abhorred  spirits  ! — 

Not  all  the  whips  of  heaven  are  large  enough —     - 

What !  to  you. 

Whose  star-like  nobleness  gave  life  and  influence 

To  their  whole  being !   I  am  rapt,  and  cannot  cover 

The  monstrous  bulk  of  this  ingratitude 

With  any  size  of  words. 
Tim.  Let  it  go  naked,  men  may  see  't  the  better.  70 

You  that  are  honest,  by  being  what  you  are. 

Make  them  best  seen  and  known. 
Pain.  He  and  myself 

Have  travail'd  in  the  great  shower  of  your  gifts, 

And  sweetly  felt  it. 
Tim.  '  Ay,  you  are  honest  men. 

Pain.  We  are  hither  come  to  offer  you  our  service. 
Tim.  Most  honest  men  !  Why,  how  shall  I  requite  you  ? 

99 


Act  V.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Can  you  eat  roots,  and  drink  cold  water?  no. 
Both.  What  we  can  do,  we  '11  do,  to  do  you  service. 
Tim.  Ye  're  honest  men  :  ye  've  heard  that  I  have  gold  ; 

I  am  sure  you  have :  speak  truth  ;  ye  're  honest  men. 
Fain.   So  it  is  said,  my  noble  lord  :  but  therefore  8i 

Came  not  my  friend  nor  I. 
Tim,  Good  honest  men  !     Thou  draw'st  a  counterfeit 

Best  in  all  Athens  :  thou  'rt  indeed  the  best ; 

Thou  counterfeit'st  most  lively. 
Fain.  So,  so,  my  lord. 

Tim.  E'en  so,  sir,  as  I  say.    And,  for  thy  fiction. 

Why,  thy  verse  swells  with  stuff  so  fine  and  smooth 

That  thou  art  even  natural  in  thine  art. 

But,  for  all  this,  my  honest-natured  friends, 

I  must  needs  say  you  have  a  little  fault :  90 

Marry,  'tis  not  monstrous  in  you  ;  neither  wish  I 

You  take  much  pains  to  mend. 
Both.  Beseech  your  honour 

To  make  it  known  to  us. 
Tim.  You  '11  take  it  ill. 

Both.  Most  thankfully,  my  lord. 
Tim.  Will  you,  indeed  ? 

Both.  Doubt  it  not,  w^orthy  lord. 
Tim.  There  's  never  a  one  of  you  but  trusts  a  knave 

That  mightily  deceives  you. 
Both.  Do  we,  my  lord  ? 

Tim.  Ay,  and  you  hear  him  cog,  see  him  dissemble, 

Know  his  gross  patchery,  love  him,  feed  him. 

Keep  in  your  bosom  :  yet  remain  assured  100 

That  he  's  a  made-up  villain. 
Fain.  I  know  none  such,  my  lord. 
Foct.  Nor  1. 

100 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  V.  Sc.  i. 

Tim.  Look  you,  I  love  you  well ;   I  '11  give  you  gold, 
Rid  me  these  villains  from  your  companies : 
Hang  them  or  stab  them,  drown  them  in  a  draught. 
Confound  them  by  some  course,  and  come  to  me, 
I  '11  give  you  gold  enough. 

Both.  Name  them,  my  lord,  let 's  know  them. 

Ti}n.  You  that  way,  and  you  this,  but  two  in  company : 
Each  man  apart,  all  single  and  alone,  no 

Yet  an  arch-villain  keeps  him  company. 
If,  where  thou  art,  two  villains  shall  not  be, 
Come  not  near  him.     If  thou  wouldst  not  reside 
But  where  one  villain  is,  then  him  abandon. 
Hence,  pack  !  there's  gold  ;  you  came  for  gold,  ye  slaves  : 
[  To  Painter]  You  have  work  for  me,  there  's  payment : 

hence ! 
[To  Poet]   You  are  an  alchemist,  make  gold  of  that: 
Out,  rascal  dogs ! 

[Beats  them  out,  and  then  retires  into  his  cave. 

Enter  Flavins,  and  tzco  Senators. 

Flav.   It  is  in  vain  that  you  would  speak  with  Timon ; 

For  he  is  set  so  only  to  himself  120 

That  nothing  but  himself  which  looks  like  man 
Is  friendly  with  him. 

First  Sen.  Bring  us  to  his  cave  : 

It  is  our  part  and  promise  to  the  Athenians 
To  speak  with  Timon. 

Sec.  Sen.  At  all  times  alike 

Men  are  not  still  the  same :   'twas  time  and  griefs 
That  framed  him  thus  :  time,  with  his  fairer  hand, 
Offering  the  fortunes  of  his  former  days. 
The  former  man  may  make  him.    Bring  us  to  him, 

lOI 


ActV.Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

And  chance  it  as  it  may. 
Flav.  Here  is  his  cave. 

Peace  and  content  be  here !  Lord  Timon !  Timon ! 
Look  out,  and  speak  to  friends:  the  Athenians     131 
By  two  of  their  most  reverend  senate  greet  thee : 
Speak  to  them,  noble  Timon. 

Timon  comes  from  his  cave. 

Tim,  Thousun,that  comfort'st,burn  !  Speak,  and  be  hano^'d  : 
For  each  true  word,  a  bhster !  and  each  false 
Be  as  a  cauterizing  to  the  root  o'  the  tongue, 
Consuming  it  with  speaking ! 

First  Sen.  Worthy  Timon, — 

Tim.  Of  none  but  such  as  you,  and  you  of  Timon. 

First  Sen.  The  senators  of  Athens  greet  thee,  Timon. 

Tim.  I  thank  them,  and  would  send  them  back  the  plague, 
Could  I  but  catch  it  for  them. 

First  Sen.  O,  forget  141 

What  we  are  sorry  for  ourselves  in  thee. 
The  senators  with  one  consent  of  love 
Entreat  thee  back  to  Athens  ;  who  have  thought 
On  special  dignities,  which  vacant  lie 
For  thy  best  use  and  wearing. 

Sec.  Sen.  They  confess 

Toward  thee  forgetfulness  too  general,  gross : 
WHiich  now  the  public  body,  which  doth  seldom 
Play  the  recanter,  feeling  in  itself 
A  lack  of  Timon's  aid,  hath  sense  withal  150 

Of  it  own  fail,  restraining  aid  to  Timon ; 
And  send  forth  us,  to  make  their  sorrowed  render, 
Together  with  a  recompense  more  fruitful 
Than  their  offence  can  weigh  down  by  the  dram ; 
102 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  V.  Sc.  i. 

Ay,  even  such  heaps  and  sums  of  love  and  wealth, 
As  shall  to  thee  blot  out  what  wrongs  were  theirs. 
And  write  in  thee  the  figures  of  their  love, 
Ever  to  read  them  thine. 

Tim.  You  witch  me  in  it, 

Surprise  me  to  the  very  brink  of  tears : 
Lend  me  a  fool's  heart  and  a  woman's  eyes,  i6o 

And  I  '11  beweep  these  comforts,  worthy  senators. 

First  Sen.  Therefore,  so  please  thee  to  return  with  us. 
And  of  our  Athens,  thine  and  ours,  to  take 
The  captainship,  thou  shalt  be  met  with  thanks, 
AUow'd  with  absolute  power,  and  thy  good  name 
Live  with  authority :   so  soon  we  shall  drive  back 
Of  Alcibiades  the  approaches  wild ; 
Who,  like  a  boar  too  savage,  doth  root  up 
His  country's  peace. 

Sec.  Sen.  And  shakes  his  threatening  sword 

Against  the  walls  of  Athens. 

First  Sen.  Therefore,  Timon, —  170 

Tim.  Well,  sir,  I  will ;   therefore,  I  will,  sir ;    thus : 
If  Alcibiades  kill  my  countrymen, 
Let  Alcibiades  know  this  of  Timon, 
That  Timon  cares  not.     But  if  he  sack  fair  Athens 
And  take  our  goodly  aged  men  by  the  beards. 
Giving  our  holy  virgins  to  the  stain 
Of  contumelious,  beastly,  man-brain'd  war; 
Then  let  him  know,  and  tell  him  Timon  speaks  it, 
In  pity  of  our  aged  and  our  youth, 
I  cannot  choose  but  tell  him,  that  I  care  not,  180 

And  let  him  take  't  at  worst ;  for  their  knives  care  not, 
While  you  have  throats  to  answer :   for  myself. 
There  's  not  a  whittle  in  the  unruly  camp, 

103 


ActV.  Sc.  i.  THE  LIFE  OF 

But  I  do  prize  it  at  my  love  before 
The  reverend'st  throat  in  Athens.     So  I  leave  you 
To  the  protection  of  the  prosperous  gods, 
As  thieves  to  keepers. 
Flav.  Stay  not ;   all 's  in  vain. 

Tim,  Why,  I  was  writing  of  my  epitaph ; 

It  will  be  seen  to-morrow :   my  long  sickness 
Of  health  and  living  now  begins  to  mend,  190 

And  nothing  brings  me  all  things.     Go,  live  still ; 
Be  Alcibiades  your  plague,  you  his. 
And  last  so  long  enough ! 
First  Sen.  We  speak  in  vain. 

Tim.  But  yet  I  love  my  country,  and  am  not 
One  that  rejoices  in  the  common  wreck. 
As  common  bruit  doth  put  it. 
First  Sen.  That  's  well  spoke. 

Tim.  Commend  me  to  my  loving  countrymen, — 
First  Sen.  These  words  become  your  lips  as  they  pass 

thorough  them. 
Sec.  Sen.  And  enter  in  our  ears  like  great  triumphers 

In  their  applauding  gates. 
Tim-  Commend  me  to  them ;  200 

And  tell  them  that,  to  ease  them  of  their  griefs, 
Their  fears  of  hostile  strokes,  their  aches,  losses. 
Their  pangs  of  love,  with  other  incident  throes 
That  nature's  fragile  vessel  doth  sustain 
In  life's  uncertain  voyage,  I  will  some  kindness  do  them  : 
I  '11  teach  them  to  prevent  wild  Alcibiades'  wrath. 
First  Sen.  I  like  this  well ;   he  will  return  again. 
Tim.  I  have  a  tree,  which  grows  here  in  my  close, 
That  mine  own  use  invites  me  to  cut  down, 
And  shortly  must  I  fell  it:   tell  my  friends,  210 

104 


TIMOiN  OF  ATHENS  Act  V.  Sc.  ii. 

Tell  Athens,  in  the  sequence  of  degree 

From  high  to  low  throughout,  that  whoso  please 

To  stop  affliction,  let  him  take  his  haste, 

Come  hither  ere  my  tree  hath  felt  the  axe, 

And  hang  himself:    I  pray  you,  do  my  greeting. 

Flaz'.  Trouble  him  no  further  ;  thus  you  still  shall  find  him. 

Ti})i.  Come  not  to  me  again :   but  say  to  Athens, 
Timon  hath  made  his  everlasting  mansion 
Upon  the  beached  verge  of  the  salt  flood ; 
Who  once  a  day  with  his  embossed  froth  220 

The  turbulent  surge  shall  cover:   thither  come, 
And  let  my  grave-stone  be  your  oracle. 
Lips,  let  sour  words  go  by  and  language  end : 
What  is  amiss,  plague  and  infection  mend  ! 
Graves  only  be  men's  works,  and  death  their  gain  ! 
Sun,  hide  thy  beams !     Timon  hath  done  his  reign. 

[Retires  to  his  cave. 

First  Sen.  His  discontents  are  unremoveably 
Coupled  to  nature. 

Sec.  Sen.  Our  hope  in  him  is  dead :    let  us  return. 

And  strain  what  other  means  is  left  unto  us,  230 
In  our  dear  peril. 

First  Sen.  It  requires  swift  foot.  [Exeunt. 

Scene  II. 

Before  the  zvalls  of  Athens. 
Enter  tn'o  Senators  and  a  Messenger. 

First  Sen.  Thou  hast  painfully  discover'd  :  arc  his  files 

As  full  as  thy  report? 
Mess.  I  have  spoke  the  least : 

Besides,  his  expedition  promises 

105 


AcfV.Sc.  Hi.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Present  approach. 

Sec.  Sen.  We  stand  much  hazard,  if  they  bring  not  Timon. 

Mess.  I  met  a  courier,  one  mine  ancient  friend ; 

Whom,  though  in  general  part  we  were  opposed. 

Yet  our  old  love  made  a  particular  force, 

And  made  us  speak  like  friends  :  this  man  was  riding 

From  Alcibiades  to  Timon's  cave,  lo 

With  letters  of  entreaty,  which  imported 

His  fellowship  i'  the  cause  against  your  city, 

In  part  for  his  sake  moved. 

First  Sen.  Here  come  our  brothers. 

Enter  Senators  from  Timon. 

Third  Sen.  No  talk  of  Timon,  nothing  of  him  expect. 
The  enemies'  drum  is  heard,  and  fearful  scouring 
Doth  choke  the  air  with  dust :  in,  and  prepare : 
Ours  is  the  fall,  I  fear,  our  foes  the  snare.     [Exet/nt. 

Scene  III. 

The  woods.     Timon's  cave,  and  a  rude  tomb  seep. 

Enter  a  Soldier,  seeking  Timon. 

Sold.  By  all  description  this  should  be  the  place. 

Who  's  here  ?  speak,  ho !     No  answer !     What  is  this  ? 
Timon  is  dead,  who  hath  outstretchVl  his  span : 
Some  beast  read  this ;  there  does  not  live  a  man. 
Dead,  sure  ;  and  this  his  grave.     What 's  on  this  tomb 
I  cannot  read ;  the  character  I  '11  take  with  wax : 
Our  captain  hath  in  every  figure  skill, 
^       An  aged  interpreter,  though  young  in  days : 
Before  proud  Athens  he  's  set  down  by  this, 
Whose  fall  the  mark  of  his  ambition  is.       [Exit.     lo 

io6 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  V.  Sc.  iv. 

Scene  IV. 

Before  the  zvalls  of  Athens. 

Trumpets  sound.    Enter  Alcibiades  zvith  his  powers, 

Alcih.  Sound  to  this  coward  and  lascivious  town 

Our  terrible  approach.  [A  parley  sounded. 

Enter  Senators  upon  the  walls. 

Till  now  you  have  gone  on  and  fill'd  the  time 
With  all  licentious  measure,  making  your  wills 
The  scope  of  justice;  till  now  myself  and  such 
As  slept  within  the  shadow  of  your  power 
Have  wander'd  with  our  traversed  arms  and  breathed 
Our  sufferance  vainly ;  now  the  time  is  flush, 
When  crouching  marrow  in  the  bearer  strong 
Cries  of  itself  '  No  more  ' :  now  breathless  wrong    lo 
Shall  sit  and  pant  in  your  great  chairs  of  ease, 
And  pursy  insolence  shall  break  his  wind 
With  fear  and  horrid  flight. 
First  Sen.  Noble  and  young. 

When  thy  first  griefs  were  but  a  mere  conceit, 
Ere  thou  hadst  power  or  we  had  cause  of  fear. 
We  sent  to  thee,  to  give  thy  rages  balm, 
To  wipe  out  our  ingratitude  with  loves 
Above  their  quantity. 
See.  Sen.  So  did  we  woo 

Transformed  Timon  to  our  city's  love 
By  humble  message  and  by  promised  means :  20 

We  were  not  all  unkind,  nor  all  deserve 
The  common  stroke  of  war. 
First  Sen,  These  walls  of  ours 

107 


Act  V.  Sc.  IV.  THE  LIFE  OF 

Were  not  erected  by  their  hands  from  whom 
You  have  received  your  griefs :  nor  are  they  such 
That  these  great  tovv^ers,  trophies  and  schools  should  fall 
For  private  faults  in  them. 

Sec.  Sen.  Nor  are  they  living 

Who  were  the  motives  that  you  first  went  out ; 
Shame,  that  they  wanted  cunning,  in  excess 
Hath  broke  their  hearts.     March,  noble  lord, 
Into  our  city  with  thy  banners  spread  :  30 

By  decimation  and  a  tithed  death — 
If  thy  revenges  hunger  for  that  food 
Which  nature  loathes — take  thou  the  destined  tenth. 
And  by  the  hazard  of  the  spotted  die 
Let  die  the  spotted. 

First  Sen.  All  have  not  ofifended ; 

For  those  that  w^ere,  it  is  not  square  to  take, 
On  those  that  are,  revenges  :  crimes,  like  lands, 
Are  not  inherited.    Then,  dear  countryman. 
Bring  in  thy  ranks,  but  leave  without  thy  rage : 
Spare  thy  Athenian  cradle  and  those  kin  40 

Which,  in  the  bluster  of  thy  Vv^ath,  must  fall 
With  those  that  have  offended  :  like  a  shepherd 
Approach  the  fold  and  cull  the  infected  forth, 
But  kill  not  all  together. 

Sec.  Sen.  What  thou  wilt, 

Thou  rather  shalt  enforce  it  with  thy  smile 
Than  hew  to  't  w^ith  thy  sword. 

First  Sen.  Set  but  thy  foot 

Against  our  rampired  gates,  and  they  shall  ope ; 
So  thou  wilt  send  thy  gentle  heart  before, 
To  say  thou  'It  enter  friendly. 

Sec.  Sen.  Throw  thy  glove, 

108 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Act  V.  Sc.  iv. 

Or  any  token  of  thine  honour  else,  50 

That  thou  wilt  use  the  wars  as  thy  redress 
And  not  as  our  confusion,  all  thy  powers 
Shall  make  their  harbour  in  our  town,  till  we 
Have  seal'd  thy  full  desire. 
Alcib.  Then  there  's  my  glove ; 

Descend,  and  open  your  uncharged  ports : 
Those  enemies  of  Timon's,  and  mine  own, 
AVhom  you  yourselves  shall  set  out  for  reproof. 
Fall,  and  no  more :   and,  to  atone  your  fears 
With  my  more  noble  meaning,  not  a  man 
Shall  pass  his  quarter,  or  offend  the  stream  60 

Of  regular  justice  in  your  city's  bounds. 
But  shall  be  render'd  to  your  public  laws 
At  heaviest  answer. 

Both.  'Tis  most  nobly  spoken. 

Alcib.  Descend,  and  keep  your  words. 

[The  Senators  descend,  and  open  the  gates. 

Enter  Soldier. 

Sold.  My  noble  general,  Timon  is  dead ; 

Entomb'd  upon  the  very  hem  o'  the  sea ; 
And  on  his  grave-stone  this  insculpture,  which 
With  wax  I  brought  away,  whose  soft  impression 
Interprets  for  my  poor  ignorance. 

Alcih.   [Reads] 

'  Here  lies  a  wretched  corse,  of  wretched  soul  bereft : 
Seek  not  my  name:    a  plague  consume  you  wicked 
caitiffs  left!  71 

Here  lie  T,  Timon  ;  who,  alive,  all  living  men  did  hate  : 
Pass  by  and  curse  thy  fill ;  but  pass  and  stay  not  here 
thy  gait.' 

109 


Act  V.  Sc.  iv.  THE  LIFE  OF 

These  well  express  in  thee  thy  latter  spirits : 

Though  thou  abhorr'dst  in  us  our  human  griefs, 

Scorn'dst  our  brain's  flow  and  those  our  droplets  which 

From  niggard  nature  fall,  yet  rich  conceit 

Taught  thee  to  make  vast  Neptune  weep  for  aye 

On  thy  low  grave,  on  faults  forgiven.     Dead 

Is  noble  Timon  :   of  whose  memory  80 

Hereafter  more.     Bring  me  into  your  city. 

And  I  will  use  the  olive  with  my  sword. 

Make  war  breed  peace,  make  peace  stint  war,  make  each 

Prescribe  to  other  as  each  other's  leech. 

Let  our  drums  strike.  [Exeunt. 


no 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS 


Glossary. 


Abhor  himself,  make  himself 
abhorred  (Hanmer,  "  make 
himself  ahhorrd")  ;   I.  i.  60. 

Aches  (dissyllabic)  ;  I.  i.  247. 

Advance,  promote,  raise  to 
honour;   I.  ii.   171. 

Affect,  like,  desire;  I.  ii.  219. 

Allow'd,  trusted,  invested  by 
public  authority  (Warbur- 
ton,  " H allow'd")  ;  V.  i.  165. 

All  to  you,  "  all  good  wishes  to 
you";    I.   ii.  235. 

Alteration;  "a.  of  honour,"/.^, 
change  to  dishonour;  IV.  iii. 
469. 

Ample,  amply ;  I.  ii.  130. 

Apperil,  peril ;   I.  ii.  32. 

Argument,  contents;  II.  ii.  185. 

,    subject,    theme;    III.    iii. 

20;  III,  V.  23. 

Arms;  "  travers'd  arms,"  (?) 
folded  arms ;  according  to 
others,  with  arms  reversed ; 
V.  iv.  7. 

Artificial,  belonging  to  art,  ar- 
tistic ;  "  a.  strife,"  the  strife 
of  art  to  outdo  nature ;  I.  i. 
37- 

Atone,  set  at  peace,  put  in  ac- 
cord; V.  iv.  58. 

Attend,  await;  III.  v.  102. 

Attends,  awaits;  I.  ii.  154. 

Banquet,  dessert ;  I.  ii.  154. 
Bans,  curses;  IV.  i.  34. 


Beagles,  a   small   sort   of   dog ; 

used     of     servile     followers ; 

IV.  iii.  175. 
Bear,  bear  off;  I.  i.  131. 
Becks,  nods ;   I.  ii.  239. 
Beggar's   dog;   II.   i.   5.       {Cp. 

illustration.) 


From  a  XVIIth  century  black-letter 
ballad. 

Behave,  govern ;   III.  v.  22. 

Beneath,  lower,  below;  I.  i.  4\. 

Best,  that  which  can  be  most 
depended  upon  (S.  Walker 
conj.  "last");   III.   iii.  36. 

Blains,  botches ;  IV.  i.  28. 

Blood,  temper  (Johnson  cor.j. 
"mood")  ;  IV.  ii.  38. 

Bound,  bank,  boundary ;  I,  i.  25. 

Brains  flow,  tears  (Hanmer, 
"brine's  flow");  V.  iv.  76. 

Breath,  voice;  IV.  iii.  249. 

Breathe,  utter;  III.  v.  z^- 

Breathed,  trained  {"  inured  to 
constant  practice ;  so  trained 
as  not  to  be  wearied ;  To 
breathe  a  horse  is  to  exercise 
him  for  the  course  " ;  I.  i.  10. 


Ill 


Glossary 


THE  LIFE  OF 


Bring,  conduct;  V.  i,  122. 
Bruise,  crush,  destroy ;  III.  v.  4. 
Bruit,  rumour ;  V.  i.   196. 
By,  according  to ;  I.  i.  171. 
By  mercy,   (?)   by  your  leave; 
III.  V.  55. 

Candied,     congealed;     IV.     iii. 

226. 
Cap,  top,  principal ;  IV.  iii.  361. 
Carper,  censurer;  IV.  iii.  209. 
Caudle,  serve  as  a  caudle,   re- 
fresh; IV.  iii.  226. 
Ceased,  stopped,  silenced ;  II.  i. 

16. 
Character,  writing;  V.  iii.  6. 
Charge,  commission;  III.  iv.  25. 
Charitable;  "  ch.  title,"  i.e.  title 

of  endearment ;  I.  ii.  90. 
Cheerly,  cheerfully;  II.  ii.  221. 
Clear,  pure ;  IV.  iii.  27. 
Close,   (?)  closely;  IV.  iii.  391. 
Cock ;  "  wasteful  c."  {v.  Note) ; 

II.  ii.  169. 
Cog,  deceive ;  V.  i.  98. 
Coil,  ado,  confusion ;  I.  ii.  238. 
Cold-moving,     distant;     II.     ii. 

219. 
Comes    off    well,    i.e.    is    well 

done ;  I.  i.  29. 
Comfortable,    comforting ;    IV. 

iii.  499. 
Composture,   compost;    IV.    iii. 

446. 
Compt;     "  in    c,"    i.e.    for    the 

computation    of    the    interest 

due    (Folios,    "in.      Come"; 

H  a  n  m  e  r,       "  in       count "  ; 

Keightley  conj.  "in  mind")  ; 

II.  i.  34. 
Conceptions,    fruitful ;    IV.    iii. 

187. 


Condition,  (?)  art  (perhaps 
"  would  be  well  express' d  in 
our  c."  =  "  would  find  a  stri- 
king parallel  in  our  state," 
Schmidt)  ;   I.  i.  yy. 

Conditions,  inclinations  (per- 
haps =  "vocations");  IV. 
iii.   139- 

Confectionary,  store  for  sweets; 

IV.  iii.  260. 

Confound,  destroy  IV.  iii.  338. 
Confounding,  causing  ruin ;  IV. 
i.  20. 

,  ruinous ;  IV.  iii.  395. 

Confusion,  destruction ;  IV.  iii. 

324. 

,  ruin ;  V.  iv.  52. 

Con   thanks,   be   thankful ;    IV. 

iii.  430. 
Continuate,  continual;   I.  i.   11. 
Contraries,  contrarieties ;  IV.  i. 

20. 
Convert,  turn ;  IV.  i.  7. 
Corinth,    a    cant    name    for    a 

brothel ;  II.  ii.  y^,. 
Couch'd;  "  are  c,"  lie  low,  have 

disappeared;   II.  ii.    179. 
Counterfeit,   portrait,    likeness; 

V.  i.  83. 

Courage,  disposition  ;  III.  iii.  24. 

Crown'd,  glorified;  II.  ii.  188. 

Cunning,  profession;  IV.  iii. 
209. 

Curiosity,  scrupulousness,  fas- 
tidiousness; IV.  iii.  303. 

Date-broke,  date-broken  (Fo- 
lios, "  debt,  broken  "  ;  Ma- 
lone,  "date-broken")  \  II.  ii. 

Dear,  used  intensively;  IV.  iii. 
385. 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS 


Glossary 


Dear,  extreme,  desperate ;  V.  i. 

231. 
Dearest,  utmost ;  1.  i.  124. 
Dedicated;  "  a  d.  beggar  to  the 

air,"   i.e.   a   beggar   dedicated 

to  the  air;  IV.  ii.  13. 
Deed  of  saying,  doing  what  one 

promises      ( Pope      reads 

"  deed ")  ;  V.  i.  28. 
Defiled,  used  with  a  play  upon 

"  pitch' d"       (suggestive       of 

"  pitch  that   doth   defile,"   cp. 

I  Henry  IV.,  II.  iv.  415)  ;  I. 

ii.  231. 
Depart,  part ;  I.  i.  253. 
Depraved,  slandered ;  I.  ii.  139. 
Depraves,  slanders ;  I.  ii.  139. 
Deserts;  "all  d.,"  i.e.  all  kinds 

of  men ;  I.  i.  65. 
Dich,  a  corruption  of  "  do  it," 

due  to  the  phrase  "  d'  it  ye  " 

(the  y  palatalising  the  0  ;  I. 

ii.  ']2. 
Discharged,  paid;   II.  ii.  12. 
Discovery,  disclosing ;  V.  i.  37. 
Disfurnish,   deprive   of  means; 

III.  ii.  49. 

Dispraise,  disparagement ;   I.   i. 

165. 
Dividant,  divided,  IV.  iii.  5. 
Doit,  the  smallest  coin  ;  a  trifle  ; 

I.  i.  210. 
Doubt,  fear ;  I.  ii.  153. 
Doubtfully,   ambiguously ;     I\'. 

iii.  121. 
Draught,  sink;  V.  i.  105. 

Earnest,  earnest  money,  a  part 
paid  beforehand  as  a  pledge ; 

IV.  iii.  47. 

Embossed,  tumid,   swollen ;   V. 
i.  220. 


Entertain,  use,  employ;  IV.  iii. 
497. 

Ever,  always  (Rowe's  emenda- 
tion of  Folios,  "very'');  I. 
ii.  29. 

Exceptless,  making  no  excep- 
tion; IV.  iii.  503. 

Fail,  offence  (Capell's  reading; 

Folios,       "  fall "  ;       Hanmer, 

"fault")  ;  V.  i.  151. 
Fall;  "at  f.,"  at  a  low  ebb;  II. 

ii.  212. 
Falling-from,  falling  off  (Pope, 

"falling  off")  ;  IV.  iii.  405. 
Fang,  seize  with  teeth ;  IV.  iii. 

23. 
Fate,  evil   destiny    (Warburton 

conj.  "fault")  ;  III.  v.  14. 
Feeders,  parasites ;  II.  ii.  166. 
Fees,      property       (Warburton 

conj.       "foes";       Singer, 

"lees")  ;  III.  vi.  82. 


companions ;     IV.    ii. 


u.  30. 
;   V.ii. 

•  155- 
i.  219. 
V.  iv. 


Fellozi 

18. 
Fierce,  excessive ;  IV. 
Files,  ranks  of  soldiers 
Flamen,  priest;  IV.  iii 
Flood,  sea,  ocean  ;  Y. 
Flush, in  its  full  vigour  ; 
Fond,  foolish ;  I.  ii.  64. 
For,  because;  III.  v.  80. 

,  of;  V.  i.  II. 

Forth  on,  onward ;  I.  i.  49. 
Fracted,  broken ;  II.  i.  22. 
Fractions,  broken  sentences 

ii.  218. 
Frame,  plan  ;  IV.  iii.  262. 
Framed,   moulded,    shaped; 

i.  126. 
Frankly,  as  frankly,  as  freelv 

II.  ii.   186. 


II. 


V. 


113 


Glossary 


THE  LIFE  OF 


Free,   liberal ;   11.   ii.  240. 
From,  from  among ;  I.  ii.  90, 
,  away  from ;  IV.  iii.  534. 

German,  akin;  IV. 'iii.  342. 

Girdlest  in,  dost  surround  (Fo- 
lios, "girdles");   IV.  i.  2. 

Give  out,  profess  to  be;  I.  i. 
160. 

Glass-faced,  reflecting,  like  a 
mirror,  the  looks  of  his  pa- 
tron; I.  i.  58. 

Good,  real ;  II.  ii.  234. 

Good  even,  the  common  form 
of  salutation  after  noon  ;  II. 
ii.  9. 

Gorge ;  "  cast  the  g.  at,"  vomit ; 
IV.  iii.  40. 

Gramercies,  many  thanks ;  II. 
ii.  69. 

Grave,  bury ;  IV.  iii.   166. 

Griefs,  grievances;  V.  iv.  14. 

Grise,  step ;   IV.  iii.   16. 

Grows,  grows  older  (Theobald, 
"goes")  ;  I.  i.  3- 

Gules,  the  heraldic  term  for 
red;  IV.  iii.  59. 

Gull,  properly,  an  unfledged 
nestling,  here  used  with  play 
upon  this  and  secondary 
sense: — dupe;  II.  i.  31. 

Gust,  taste,  relish ;  III.  v.  54. 

Habit,  exterior;  IV.  iii.  113. 
Half-caps,  caps  half  taken  off, 

slight  salutations;  II.  ii.  219. 
Hap,  chance,  luck;  III.  ii.  27. 
Hard  in,  hardened  to;   IV.  iii. 

269. 
Harness,  armour;  I.  ii.  52. 
Having,  possessions;  II.  ii.  151. 


Heart ;  "  in  h./'  heartily ;  i.e.  I 
drink  to  you  with  all  my 
heart,  heartily:  (Gould  conj. 
"your  health");   I.  ii.   53. 

Heaven,  salvation  (here  =  good 
advice ;  according  to  others, 
"  the  pleasure  of  being  flat- 
tered ")  ;  I.  ii.  256. 

Hew  to,  shape  by  cutting 
(Daniel  conj.  "  hcvj  out"); 
V.  iv.  46. 

Hinge,  bend;  IV.  iii.  211. 

His,  its ;  I.  i.  31. 

Hoar,  make  rotten ;  IV.  iii.  155. 

Hold,  continue ;  II.  i.  12. 

Hold  taking,  bear  handling;  I. 

ii-    153- 
Honesty,  liberality,  bounty;  III. 

i.  30. 
Horrid,  dreadful ;  V.  iv.  13. 
Hoy-day,  hey-day;  I.  ii.  131. 
Humour,  caprice    (Folios   i,  2, 

"humors")  ;  III.  vi.  115. 
Hungerly,  hungrily ;  I.  i.  252. 
Husbandry,  good  management, 

economy;  II.  ii.  162. 
Hyperion,  the  God  of  the  Sun; 

IV.  iii.  184. 

Idle,  trifling;   I.  ii.   154. 

,  foolish ;  IV.  iii.  27. 

Importunacy,  importunity;  II. 
ii.  42. 

Incertain,  uncertain  ;  IV.  iii.  243. 

Incontinent,  inconstant,  un- 
chaste; IV.  i.  3. 

Infected,  diseased  (Rowe,  "af- 
fected") ;    IV.    iii.    202. 

Inferr'd,  alleged :  III.  v.  73. 

Infinite,  (?  ) numberless  (Grant 
White  conj.  "infectious")  \ 
III.  vi.  102. 


114 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS 


Glossary 


In-fiuence  (used  in  the  astrolog- 
ical  sense)  ;   V.  i.  66. 

Ingeniously,  ingenuously, 
frankly;  II.  ii.  228. 

Ingratefiil,   ungrateful ;    IV.   ii. 

45. 
Innocence    ( ?)    want   of   spirit 
(perhaps  used  ironically)  ;  I. 

i.  195- 
Intending,    pretending ;     II.    ii. 

217. 
Ira  furor  brevis  est,  anger  is  a 

brief  madness;  I.  ii.  28. 
It,  its;  V.  i.  151. 

Keep  his  house,  remain  within 
the  house;  III.  iii.  42. 

Lag,  lowest  class  (Folios  i,  2, 
3.  "  legge  "  ;  Anon.  ap.  Rann 
conj.  "  tag")  ;  III.  vi.  84. 

Late,  lately;  II.  i.  i. 

Lay  for,  venture  for,  strive  to 
win;   III.  V.    115. 

Leak'd,  leaky;  IV.  ii.  19. 

Leech,  physician ;  V.  iv.  8 

Legs,  used  with  play  upon  (i.) 
limbs,  (ii.)  bowing;  I.  ii. 
240. 

Length;  "  at  1.,"  at  last ;  II.  ii. 
156. 

Levell'd,  aimed ;  I.  i.  47. 

Liberty,  licentiousness ;  IV.i.25. 

Limited,  circumscribed,  con- 
fined within  bounds ;  IV.  iii. 

433- 
Lined,  stuffed;  IV.  i.  14. 
Lively, ^o  the  life ;  V.  i.  85. 
Loarf^'H,  loaded,  laden  ;  III.  v.  50. 

Made-up,  complete,  perfect ;  V. 


Make,  do;  III.  v.  46. 
Many,  many  of;  III.  vi.  10. 
Marrow,  vigour ;  V.  iv.  9. 
Mean;   "mean   eyes,"  i.e.   eyes 

of  inferiors   (Theobald  conj. 

"  men's  ")  ;  I.  i.  93. 
M^eans,  power,  wealth  ;  V.  iv.  20. 
Meddler,     used     with     quibble 

upon  "  medlar  "  ;  IV.  iii.  309. 
Medlar,  a  kind  of  fruit ;  IV.  iii. 

305.  . 

Meed,  merit ;  I.  i.  276. 

Men,  human  beings  ;  IV.  iii.  534. 

Merely,  absolutely;  IV.  i.  32. 

Mind,  magnanimity ;   I.  ii.   164. 

Minion,  favourite,  darling ;  IV. 
iii.  80. 

Minute  -  jacks,  time  -  servers 
(with  perhaps  an  allusion  to 
"Jacks-of-the-Clock,"  figures 
that  struck  the  bell  in  old 
clocks)  ;  III.  vi.  loi. 

Misanthropos,  hater  of  man- 
kind (Folio  I,  "  misantro- 
pos")  ;  IV.  iii.  53- 

Moe,  more;  I.  i.  41. 

Monstrous,  unnatural ;  V.  i.  91. 

Moss'd,  overgrown  with  moss 
(Folios  I,  2,  "moyst";  Fo- 
lios 3,  4,  "moist");  IV.  iii. 
223. 

Motives,  authors;   V.  iv.  27. 

Multiplying,  increasing;   IV.  i. 

34- 
Mysteries,  trades,   professions ; 
IV.  i.  18. 

Natural,  used  probably  in 
double  sense  (i.)  genuine, 
(ii.)  a  fool;  V.  i.  88. 

Nature,  necessities  of  nature; 
IV.  iii,  231. 


115 


Glossary 


THE  LIFE  OF 


Jack  0*  the  clock. 
From  the  specimen  formerly  at  St. 
Dunstan's  Church,  Fleet  Street,  E.G. 

Near,  nearly ;  I.  ii.   179. 
Neighbour,   neighbouring;    IV. 
iii.  94. 

Objects,  things  presented  to  the 
sight,  everything  that  comes 
in  the  way;  IV.  iii.  122. 

Occasion,  necessity;  III.  ii.  26. 

Occasions,  engagements ;  III. 
vi.  10. 

Offices,  apartments  where  food 
was  prepared;  II.  ii.  165. 

On,  at ;  I.  i.  141. 

,  in;  IV.  iii.  loi. 

Ope,  open ;  V.  iv.  47. 

Operant,  active;  IV.  iii.  25. 


Opulency,  opulence,  riches ;  V. 

i.  38. 
Ort,  remnant ;  IV.  iii.  400. 
Out,  without,  outside ;  IV.  i.  38, 
Outgoes,  exceeds ;  I.  i.  273. 
Ozved;    "  o.    to    you,"    held    at 

your  service;  I.  i.  151. 

Pack,  be  off;  V.  i.  115. 

Page,  follow  like  a  page ;   IV. 

iii.  224. 
Painfully;    "  thou    hast   p.    dis- 
covered " ;    i.e.   thou   hast   to 

our    distress    discovered;    V. 

ii.  I. 
Paper,  bonds,  deeds   (Warbur- 

ton,       "proper" ;       Hanmer, 

''  perpetiiiim" ;  Kinnear  conj. 

"person" ',       Becket       conj. 

"  pauper")  ;   I.  ii.  250. 
Part,    particular    business     (S. 

Walker  conj.  "pact");  V.  i. 

123. 
,    side,    part ;    "  in    general 

p.."   in  the  public  cause;   V. 

ii.  7. 

,  depart;  IV.  ii.  21. 

Particular,  personal  advantage ; 

IV.  iii.  159. 
Particularly;    "  halts    not    p.," 

does    not    stop    at    particular 

persons ;  I.  i.  46. 
Parts,    endowments,    qualities ; 

II.  ii.  23. 

,  virtues;  III.  v.  76. 

Passes,      surpasses       (Jackson 

conj.  "surpasses")  ;  I.  i.  12. 
Passion,  violent  emotion ;  III.  i. 

59- 
Patchery;    "botchery    intended 
to    hide    faults;    gross    and 
bungling  hypocrisy  "  ;  V.  i.  99. 


116 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS 

Pawn,  pledge ;  I.  i.  147. 

Perfect ;  "  for  ever  p.,"  arrived 
at  the  perfection  of  happi- 
ness ;  I.  ii.  86. 

Perfection,  highest  excellence ; 
(  ?  "  perfect  image  ")  ;  III. 
vi.  94. 

Perfumes ;  "  diseased  p."  = 
"  diseased  perfumed  mis- 
tresses "  ;  IV.  iii.  207. 

Periods,  puts  an  end  to ;  I.  i.  99. 

Personating,  representing;  V.  i. 

35- 

Pill,  pillage,  plunder ;  IV.  i.  12. 

Plain-dealing,  an  allusion  to  the 
proverb,  "  Plain-dealing  is  a 
jewel,  but  they  that  use  it 
die  beggars  " ;  I.  i,  209. 

Ports,  gates ;  V.  iv.  55. 

Prefer,  show,  lay  before ;  III. 
V.  34. 

Preferr'd,  showed,  presented ; 
III.  iv.  49. 

Present;  "  p.  slaves."  i.e.  imme- 
diate slaves  (S.  Walker  conj. 
"peasant  slaves")  ;  I.  i.  71. 

Presentment;  "  upon  the  heels 
of  my  p.,  "  as  soon  as  my 
book  has  been  presented  to 
its  patron  "  ;  I.  i.  27. 

Proof,  test ;  II.  ii.  164. 

,  resisting  power ;    IV.   iii. 

124. 

Properties,  makes  the  property 
of;  I.  i.  57. 

Prosperous,  favourable ;  V.  i. 
186. 

Protest,  vow ;  IV.  iii.  439. 

Purposes,  plans,  intentions;  V. 
i.  17. 

Pursy,  "  fat  and  short- 
winded  " ;  V.  iv.  12. 


Glossary 

Push,  pshaw !  (Theobald, 
"  Psha  "  ;  Hanmer,  "'  Pish  ")  ; 

III.  vi.    112. 

Quick,  living;   IV.  iii.  44. 
Quillets,    nice,    subtle    distinc- 
tions ;  IV.  iii.  155. 
Quit,  rid  of  you ;  IV,  iii.  400. 
Quittance,  requital ;  I.  i.  279. 

Rag,  shabby,   beggarly  person ; 

IV,  iii.  271. 

Rampired,    barricaded ;    V.    iv. 

47'  ^ 
Rank'd,  crowded ;  I.  i.  65. 
Rapt,  beside  myself ;  V.  i.  67. 
Rarely,  admirably,  excellently; 

IV.  iii.  473. 
Recoverable,     possible     to     be 

brought  back  to  a  better  con- 
dition ;  III.  iv.  13. 

Regardfully,  respectfully ;  IV. 
iii.  81, 

Remembrance ;  "better  r.."  i.e. 
remembrance  of  better 
things ;  III.  vi.  46. 

Remorse,  pity;  IV.  iii.  122. 

Remotion,  non-appearance,  ab- 
sence (Grant  White  conj. 
"motion")  ;  IV.  iii.  344. 

Render,  statement,   confession ; 

V.  i,  152. 

Render  back,  give  back ;  IV.  i, 

9- 
Render' d,     surrendered,     given 

up ;  V.  iv.  62. 
Repugnancy,  resistance;  III.  v, 

45. 
Requite,  repay ;  IV.  iii.  529. 
Resort;  "her  r.,"  to  visit  her; 

I.  i.  127. 


117 


Glossary 


THE  LIFE  or 


Respect;  "  in  r.  of  his,"  in  pro- 
portion to  what  he  possesses ; 
III.  ii.  8i. 

Respectively,   regardfully ;    III. 

i.  7-  , 
Restraining,  withholding ;  V.  i. 

151. 

Resumes,  assumes ;  II.  ii.  4. 

Retentive,  restraining ;  III.  iv. 
82. 

Rother's,  ox's  (Singer's  read- 
ing, adopted  by  Collier;  Fo- 
lios, "Brothers";  Rowe, 
"  h  e  g  gar's"  ;  Warburton, 
"weather's" ;  Farmer  conj. 
"broader" ;  etc.)  IV.  iii. 
12. 

Rotten,  corrupted ;  IV.  iii.  2. 

Round,  plain,  straight-forward ; 
II.  ii.  8. 

Sacrificial,  full  of  devotion  as 
to  a  God;  I.  i.  81. 

Salt,  wanton ;  IV.  iii.  85. 

Sans,  without ;  IV.  iii.  122. 

Scope;  ''conceived  to  s.,"  i.e. 
"  imagined,  appositely,  to  the 
purpose";  (Folios,  "  con- 
ceyu'd,  to  scope  " ;  Theobald. 
"  conceiv'd  to  th'  scope  ")  ;  I. 
i.  72. 

Secure  thy  heart,  be  reassured ; 
II.  ii.  183. 

Seen;  "is  my  lord  s.  yet,"  i.e. 
to  be  seen ;  III.  iv.  9. 

Scmhlahle,  like;  IV.  iii.  22. 

Sequence,  succession ;  "  s.  of 
degree  "  ;  according  to  their 
rank;  V.  i.  211. 

Set ;  "  s.  so  only  to  himself," 
i.e.  "  wrapt  up  in  self-con- 
templation " ;  V.  i.  120. 


Set  him  clear,  make  him  ap- 
pear innocent;  III.  iii.  31. 

Set  me  on,  put  me  to ;  II.  ii. 
164. 

Shall 's,  shall  us  =  shall  we; 
IV.  iii.  410. 

Signet;  II.  ii.  208.  (Cp.  the 
subjoined  facsimiles  of  an- 
tique specimens.) 


Sinner,  a  cause  of  sin ;  I.  ii.  58. 
Smooth'd,  flattered;  IV.  iii.  17. 
So,  if  only;  V.  iv.  48. 
Solidares,      small      pieces      oi 

money;  III.  i.  46. 
Something,  somewhat;   IV.   iii. 

55- 
Sour,   bitter    (Rowe's   emenda- 
tion ;     Folios,     "  four " ;      S. 

Walker  conj.  "your  ")  ;  V.  i. 

223. 
Spilth,  spilling;  II.  ii.  167. 
Spirit,    anger,    wrath ;     III.    v. 

102. 
Spital-house,   hospital ;    IV.   iii. 

39. 
Spotted  die;  V.   iv.   34.      {Cp. 

illustration.) 
Square,  suitable ;  V.  iv.  2>^. 
Starve,    paralyse    (Folio    i,    2, 

"  sterue ")  ;  I.  i.  247. 
States,  estates;  I.  i.  67, 


118 


TIMON  or  ATHENS 


Glossary 


{b) 


From  specimens  found  (^r)  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Marsielles  and  {b)  at 
Herculaneum  respectively. 

Still,  always,  continually;  11.  i. 
II  ;  IV.  iii.  522. 

Stint,  stop;  V.  iv.  83. 

Stout,  strong;  IV.  iii.  z^- 

Strain,  race ;  I.  i.  249. 

,  quality ;  IV.  iii.  213. 

Strait,  strict ;  I.  i.  96. 

Strange,  unacquainted ;  IV.  iii. 
56. 

Strife,  emulation ;  I.  i.  37. 

Sufferance,  suffering,  misery; 
IV.  iii.  268. 

Suspect,  suspicion :  IV.  iii.  520. 

Szuatli;  "first  s.."  earliest  in- 
fancy, swaddling  clothes ;  IV. 
iii.  252. 

Take,  make;  V.  i.  213. 

Tendance,  persons  attending, 
waiting  his  pleasure ;  I.  i.  80. 

That,  would  that;  IV.  iii.  281. 

Time's  Hies,  "  flies  of  a  sea- 
son " ;  III.  vi.  100. 

Tiring,  busy ;  III.  vi.  4. 

To;  "call  to  you,"  i.e.  call  on 
you;  I.  ii.  221. 

Told,  counted;  III.  v.  107. 

Touch,  touchstone ;  IV.  iii.  393- 


Touch;  "  t.  the  estimate,"  pay 
the  price  at  which  it  is  esti- 
mated; I.  i.  14. 

Touch'd,  tested  with  the  touch- 
stone ;  III.  iii.  6. 

Toward,  at  hand ;  III.  vi.  60. 

Towardly,  docile ;   III.  i.  36. 

Tract,  track ;  trace ;  I.  i.  50. 

Traversed,  crossed,  folded,  (?) 
reversed ;  V.  iv.  7. 

True,  honest;  IV.  iii.  464. 

Trump,  trumpet;  I.  ii.  119. 

Try,  trial ;  V.  i.  10. 

Unagreeable,  unsuitable;  II.  ii. 

41. 
Unbolt,  reveal,  explain;  I.  i.  51. 
Uncharged,   unassailed;   V.   iv. 

55- 

Unclew,  undo,  ruin ;  I.  i.  168. 

Unctuous,  oily;  IV.  iii.  I95- 

Under;  "  u.  praise,"  by  being 
praised  so  much  (not  "  un- 
derpraise"  as  the  jeweller 
understands  it)  ;  I.  i.  165. 

Under,  under  pretence  of;  III. 

iii-  33- 
Undergo,  undertake ;  III.  v.  24. 
Unmatched,  matchless;  IV.  iii. 

524- 

Unnoted,  (?)  imperceptible 
(perhaps  =  undemonstra- 
tive) ;  III.  V.  21. 

Unpeaceable,  quarrelsome 
(Collier  MS.,  "  unappeas^ 
able")  ;  I.  i.  269. 

Unremoveably,  fixedly;  V.  i. 
227. 

Untirable,  untiring,  indefatiga- 
ble; I.  i.  II. 

Use,  customary;  I.  i.  279. 

Uses,  necessities ;  II,  i.  20, 


119 


Glossary 


THE  LIFE  OF 


Wmdozc'-dars. 
From  the  "  Herodiade  "  print  by  Israel 
Van  Mechlin  (c.  1500). 

Vantages,  opportunities;  II.  ii. 
136. 

Virtuous,  "  caused  by  his  vir- 
tue " ;  (?)  strong,  forcible ; 
III.  ii.  45- 


Visitations,  visits;   I.  ii.  223, 
Voiced,  proclaimed;  IV.  iii.  81. 
Void,  emit ;  I.  ii.   137. 
Votarisf,  votary ;   IV.  iii.  27. 

Wafts,  beckons ;  I.  i.  70. 
Wappcn'd,    beaten,    worn    out, 

stale;  IV.  iii.  38. 
Wards,  bars,  bolts;  III.  iii.  2,^^. 
Warm,   heated   to    a    moderate 

degree ;   IV.   iii.  223. 
Whittle,   small   clasp-knife;   V. 

i.  183. 
Willing,  willingly;   III.   vi.    t,^- 
Window-bars,  cross-bar  lacing 

of   the    bodice;    IV.    iii.    116. 

(Cp.  illustration.) 
Witch,  bewitch;  V.  i.  158. 
Without,  outside ;  V.  iv.  39. 
Wreakful,   revengeful ;    IV.   iii. 

229. 

Yet,  still ;  IV.  ii.  17. 
Yield,  grant;  I,  ii.  196. 


Enter  Apcmanttts  and  Fool  (Stage  Directions,  II.  ii.). 

From  a  small  bronze  statuette  of  Roman  workmanship.    The  arms, 

•yvhen  whole,  probably  displayed  some  comic  gesture. 

J2Q 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS 


Critical  Notes. 

BY   ISRAEL   GOLLANCZ. 

I.  i.  21.  'gum,  which  oozes';  Johnson's  reading;  Folios  read 
'  gown,  which  uses  ' ;  Pope,  '  gum  which  issues.' 

I.  i.  24-25.  'Hies  Each  hound  it  chafes';  Folios,  'chases'; 
Becket  conj.  'Hies.  Eche  {bound)  it  chafes';  Schmidt,  'chafes 
zi'ith: 

I.  i.  30-31.  'grace  Speaks  his  own  standing';  Johnson  conj. 
'  standing  .  .  .  graces  or  grace  Speaks  understanding ' ;  Mason 
conj.  'Grace  speaks  its  own  standing';  Jackson  conj.  'grace 
Speaks!  'tis  on  standing';  Orger  conj.  'grace    .    .    .    seeming.' 

I.  i.  40.  'happy  man';  Theobald's  emendation  of  Folios,  'happy 
men.' 

I.  i.  47.  'sea  of  wax';  Bailey  conj.  'sweep  of  taxing';  Collier 
MS.,  'sea  of  verse,'  etc.;  but  there  is  evidently  a  reference  to 
writing-tablets  covered  with  wax. 

I.  i.  87.  'slip';  Folios,  'sit';  Delius  conj.  'sink.' 

I.  i.  129.  The  line  is  supposed  by  some  to  be  corrupt,  and  many 
emendations  have  been  proposed,  but  Coleridge's  interpretation 
commends  itself: — "  The  meaning  of  the  first  line  the  poet  himself 
explains,  or  rather  unfolds,  in  the  second.  *  The  man  is  honest !  ' 
— True ;  and  for  that  very  cause,  and  with  no  additional  or 
extrinsic  motive,  he  will  be  so.  No  man  can  be  justly  called 
honest,  who  is  not  so  for  honesty's  sake,  itself  including  its 
reward." 

I.  i.  233.  '  That  I  had  no  angry  wit  to  be  a  lord ' ;  Blackstone 
conj.  'Angry  that  I  had  no  ivit, — to  he  a  lord';  Malone  conj. 
'  That  I  had  no  angry  ivit. — To  be  a  lord! ' ;  Anon,  conj.,  '  That  I 
had  no  ampler  wit  than  he  a  lord ' ;  Warburton,  '  That  I  had  so 
hungry  a  wit  to  he  a  lord' ;  Heath  conj.  '  That  .  .  .  so  wrong'd 
my  wit  to  be  a  lord,'  etc.,  etc. 

I.  ii.  45.  Alluding  to  the  then  custom  of  each  guest  bringing  his 
own  knife  to  a  feast. 

I.  ii.  71.  'sin';  Farmer  conj.  'sing';  Singer  conj.  'dine';  Kin- 
near  conj.  'surfeit.' 

J2l 


Notes 


THE  LIFE  OF 


I.  ii.  122-127.  The  arrangement  of  these  lines  was  first  suggested 
by  Rann,  and  followed  by  Steevens  in  his  edition  of  1793, 

I.  ii.  129.  '  Music,  make  their  zvelcomc  ' ;  Pope  reads  '  Let  musick 
make  their  welcome' ;  Capell,  'Mustek,  make  known  their  zvelcomc.' 

I.  ii.  Direc.  'A  mask  of  ladies  as  Amazons.'     {Cp.  illustration.) 


From  a  plate  illustrating  the  Imperial  Festivities  at  Venice,  1560. 


II.  i.  10.  'And  able  horses';  so  Folios  i,  2;  Folios  3.  4,  'An  able 
horse';  Theobald,  'ten  able  horse';  Jackson  conj.  'Ay,  able 
horses  ' ;  Collier  MS.,  '  a  stable  0'  horses  ' ;  Singer  conj.  '  Two  able 
horses.' 

II.  i.  13.  '  found  his  state  in  safety ' ;  Hanmer's  reading ;  Folios, 
'sound  .  .  .' ;  Capell,  'found  .  .  .  on  safety';  Capell  conj. 
'  Und    .    .    .    in  safety.' 

II.  ii.  6.  'Was  to  be';  Heath  conj.  'Was  made  to  be';  Long 
MS.,  'Was';  Mason  conj.  'Was  formed';  Singer  MS.,  'Was 
truly' ;  Collier  MS.,  '  Was  surely.' 

II.  ii.  75.  'mistress'  (so  line  107). 

II.  ii.  149.  'loved  lord';  Folios  2,  3,  4,  'dear  lov'd  lord';  S. 
Walker  conj.  '  belov'd.' 

IL  ii.  150,  Folios  read  '  Though  you  heare  now  (too  late)  yet 
nowes  a  time,  The';  Hanmer,  '  Though  .  .  .  yet  now's  too  late 
a  time ' ;  Collier  MS.,  '  Though   .    .   .   yet  now 's  a  time  toQ  lat^^ 

122 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  NoieS 

II.  ii.  169.  '  wasteful  cock  ' ;  Pope  reads  '  lonely  room  ' ;  Collier 
MS.,  'wasteful  nook  ' ;  Jackson  conj.  '  wakeful  cock  ' ;  Jervis  conj. 
'wakeful  couch'-,  Keightley,  'wasteful  cock-loft';  Daniel  conj. 
'wakeful  cot';  Jackson's  conjecture  seems  best,  'wakeful  cock,' 
i.e.  '  cock-loft,'  unless  '  cock  '  =  wine-tap. 

III.  i.  50.  'And  we  alive  that  lived' \  i.e.  in  so  short  a  time. 

III.  i.  55.  '  Let  molten  coin  be  thy  damnation  ' ;  cp.  the  old  bal- 
lad, "  The  Dead  Man's  Song  "  : — 

"And  ladles  full  of  melted  gold 
Were  poured  down  their  throats." 

III.  i.  59-60.  ' slave,  Unto  his  honour'  Steevens'  reading ;  Folios, 
'Slave  unto  his  honour';  Pope,  'slave  Unto  this  hour';  Collier 
MS.,  'slave  unto  his  humour';  Staunton,  'slave  Unto  dishonour' ; 
but  the  words  are  probably  spoken  ironically. 

III.  ii.  13.  'so  many';  changed  by  Theobald  to  'fifty';  so,  too, 
in  line  41 ;  but  the  figures  are  very  doubtful,  and  '  fifty-five  hun- 
dred talents,'  in  line  43,  is  obviously  a  mere  exaggeration. 

III.  ii.  25.  '  mistook  him,'  etc.,  i.e.  '  made  the  mistake  and  applied 
to  me';  Hanmer,  '  o'erlooked' ;  Warburton,  '  mistook' d' ;  Johnson 
conj.  'not  mistook.' 

III.  ii.  50.  'for  a  little  part' ;  Theobald,  'for  a  little  dirt' ;  Han- 
mer, 'a  little  dirt' ;  Heath  conj.  'for  a  little  profit' ;  Johnson  conj. 
'for  a  little  park';  Mason  conj.  'for  a  little  port';  Jackson  conj. 
'for  a  little  part';  Bailey  conj.  'for  a  little  sport';  Kinnear  conj. 
'for  a  little  pomp.'  Steevens  explains  the  passage  thus: — "By 
purchasing  what  brought  me  little  honour,  I  have  lost  the  more 
honourable  opportunity  of  supplying  the  wants  of  my  friend." 

HI.  ii.  70.  'spirit'  Theobald's  correction  of  Folios,  'sport'; 
Collier  MS.,  'port.' 

HI.  ii.  79.  'in  respect  of  his';  Staunton  conj.  'this.' 

HI.  iii.  12.  '  Thrive,  give  him  over ' ;  so  Folio  i ;  Folios  2,  3,  4, 
'That  thriv'd,  give  him  over';  Pope,  'Three  give  him  over?'; 
Hanmer,  '  Tried  give  him  over ' ;  Theobald,  '  Thriv'd,  give  him 
over?';  Tyrwhitt  conj.  '  Shriv'd  give  him  over:';  Johnson  conj. 
'  Thrice  give  him  over,'  etc. 

III.  iii.  14.  'sense';  Collier  conj.  ''sense.' 

III.  iv.  112.  ' Sempronius:  all:',  so  Folios  3,  4;  Folio  i,  ' Sem- 
pronius  Vllor.ra:  AW;  Folio  2,  ' Semprovius:  All';  Malone, 
'Sempronius:  Ullorxa,  all' ;  Grant  White  suggested  that  'Vllorxa' 
was  a  misprint  for  '  Ventidius.' 

III.  v.  22.  '  behave  his  anger,  ere  'twas  spent ' ;  Folios,  '  behooue 

123 


Notes  THE  LIFE  Of, 

Jiis  .  .  /;  Johnson  conj.  '  hchold  his  adversary  shent';  Steevens 
conj.  '  behave,  ere  was  his  anger  spent ' ;  Becket  cdnj.  '  behave;  his 
anger  was,  'ere  spent';  Hanmer,  'behave  in's  .  .  .' ;  Malone 
conj.  'behave  his    .    .    .' ;  Collier  MS.,  'reprove  his    .    .    .,'  etc. 

III.  V.  63.  'I  say,  my  lords,  has';  Pope  reads  '  /  say  my  lords 
h'as' ;  Folio  i,  '  Why  say  my  Lords  ha's' ;  Folios  2,  3,  '  Why  I  say 
my  lords  ha's';  Folio  4,  'Why,  I  say  my  Lords  h'as';  Capell, 
'  Why,  I  say,  my  lords,  he  has ' ;  Dj^ce,  '  Why,  I  say,  my  lords, 
has ' ;  Globe  edd.,  7  say,  my  lords,  he  has.' 

III.  V.  102.  'And,  not  to  swell  our  spirit,'  i.e.  '  not  to  swell  our 
spirit  with  anger,  not  to  become  exasperated  ' ;  Theobald,  'And 
note,  to  swell  your  spirit' ;  Capell,  'And,  not  to  swell  your  spirit'; 
Singer,  '  quell ' ;  Kinnear,  '  quail.' 

III.  V.  105.  '  Only  in  bone,'  i.e.  '  as  a  mere  skeleton  ' ;  Staunton 
conj.  'Only  at  home,'  or  'Only  in  doors';  Ingleby  conj.  'only  in 
bed';  Hudson  conj.  'only  alone.' 

III.  V.  116.  'most  lands';  Warburton,  'most  hands';  Malone 
conj.  'most  lords';  Mason  conj.  'my  stains';  Becket  conj.  'most 
brands';  Jackson  conj.  'most  bands.' 

III.  vi.  SJ.  'harshly  o'  the  trumpet's' ;  Rowe,  '  harsJily  as  o'  the 
Trumpets' ;  Steevens  (1793),  'harshly  on  the  trumpet's;  Grant 
White  conj.  'harshly.     O.  the  trumpets,'  etc. 

III.  vi.  95.  'you  zvith  flatteries';  so  Folios;  Warburton,  '  zvith 
your  flatteries ' ;  Keightley,  '  by  you  with  flatteries  ' ;  Folio  2  reads 
'flatreries';  S.  Walker  conj.  'flattery.' 

III.  vi.  115,  116.  'He  gave  me  a  jewel 
th'  other  day,  and  noiv  he  has  beat  it  out 
of  7ny  hat.'  The  annexed  example  of  a 
hat  with  a  jewel  fashioned  like  a  bird 
holding  in  its  claws  a  pearl,  is  copied 
from  the  rare  portrait  of  Thomas  Lant, 
1587. 

IV.  i.  21.  'let,'  Hanmer's  emendation 
of  Folios,  'yet.' 

IV.  ii.  35.  '  xvhat  state  compounds'  \  S. 
Walker      conj.      'state      comprehends' ; 
Grant    WHiite    conj.     '  that    state    com- 
pounds'; Watkiss  Lloyd  conj.  '  what  e'er  state  comprehends.' 

IV.  iii.  9.  '  deny  't ' ;  Warburton,  '  denude ' ;  Hanmer,  '  degrade  ' ; 
Heath  conj.  'deprive';  Steevens  conj.  'devest';  Collier  MS., 
'  decline ' ;  etc. ;  the  indefinite  '  // '  refers  to  the  implied  noun  in 
'  raise,'  i.e.  '  give  elevation  to.' 

124 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Notes 

IV.  iii.  12.  'pasture  lards  the  rother's  sides';  '  rother'  Singer's 
emendations  for  Folios  'brothers.'  Fojio  i,  '  Pastour' ;  Folios 
2,  3,  4,  'pastor';  Farmer  and  Steevens  conj.  '  pasterer' :  'lards'; 
Rowe's  reading,  Folio  i,  'Lards';  Folios  2,  3.  4,  'Lords.' 

IV.  iii.  18.  'all  is  oblique';  Pope's  emendation;  Folio  i,  'All's 
obliqiiie';  Folios  2,  3,  'Alls  obliquy';  Folio  4.  'All's  obliquy  ' ; 
Rowe,  'all's  obloquy';  Lettsom  conj.  'all,  all's  oblique.' 

IV.  iii.  38.  '  zvappen'd' ;  so  Folios  i,  2;  Folios  3,  4,  '  wapen'd' ; 
Warburton,  'waped';  Johnson  conj.  'wained';  Malone  conj. 
'  wapper'd  ' ;  Anon.  conj.  '  Wapping' ;  Steevens  conj.  'weeping'; 
Seymour  conj.  'vapid' ;  Staunton  conj.  '  woe-pin'd' ;  Fleay,  'wop- 
eyed';  i.e.  having  waterish  eyes  {vide  Glossary). 

IV.  iii.  106.  '  conquer  my  country  ' ;  Kinnear  conj.  '  confound  my 
countrymen ' ;  Hanmer,  '  make  conquest  of  my  country ' ;  Capell, 
'conquer  thy  own  country';  S.  Walker  conj.  'scourge  thy  coun- 
try ' ;  Hudson,  '  scourge  my  country.' 

IV.  iii.  116.  '  windozu-bars ' ;  Johnson  conj.;  Folios,  'window 
Barn';  Pope,  'window-barn' ;  Warburton,  '  wind  ozv -lawn' ; 
Tyrwhitt  conj.  '  zvidozvs's  barb.' 

IV.  iii.  153.  'spurring' ;  Hanmer,  'sparring';  Long  MS., 
'spurning' ;  Seymour  conj.  'springing' ;  there  is  no  need  to 
emend  the  text. 

IV.  iii.  215.  'bade';  Folio  i,  'bad';  Folios,  2.  3,  4,  'bid.' 

IV.  iii.  225.  'when';  S.  Walker  conj.  'where.' 

IV.  in.  243.  '  Outlives  incerfain';  Rowe's  emendation;  Folio 
I  reads  'Out-lives:  incertaine ' ;  Folios  2,  3,  4,  'Out-lives:  in  cer- 
taine  ' ;  Hanmer,  '  Out-strips  incertain  ' ;  Capell,  '  Out-vies  un- 
certain.' 

IV.  iii.  254.  'drugs';  Folios  i.  2,  '  drugges' ;  Mason  conj. 
'drudges';  Collier  MS.,  'dugs';  Capell  conj.  MS.  'dregs'; 
'  drugs '  =  '  drudges.' 

IV.  iii.  283.  '  my ' ;  Rowe's  correction  of  Folios,  '  thy.' 

IV.  iii.  312.  'after  his  means/  i.e.  'after  his  means  were  gone.' 

IV.  iii.  421.  'meat';  Theobald,  'meet'  (i.e.  'what  you  ought 
to  be  ')  ;  Hanmer,  'men  ';  Steevens  conj.  '  me,'  etc. 

IV.  iii.  422-426.  'Behold,  the  earth  hath  roots,'  etc.;  cp.  Hall's 
Satires,  IIL  i   (pub.  1598)  : — 

"  Time  zvas  that,  whiles  the  autumn  full  did  last. 
Our  hungry  sires  gap'd  for  the  falling  mast,"  etc. 

IV.  iii.  439.  '  villany  ' ;  Rowe's  correction  of  Folios  i,  2,  '  vil- 
la inc.' 

125 


Notes  THE  LIFE  OF 

IV.  in.  44S.  '  moon' ;  Theobald,  'mounds';  Capell,  'earth'; 
Toilet  conj.  '  main.' 

IV.  iii.  500.  'dangerous  nature  mild';  Thirlby  conj.;  Folios, 
'wild';  Becket  conj.  'nature  dangerous-mild';  Jackson  conj. 
'  dolorous  nature  wild.' 

V.  i.  47.  '  black-corner' d,'  i.e.  '  hiding  things  in  dark  corners  ' ; 
Hanmer,  '  hlack-corneted' ;  Warburton  conj.  '  black-cornette' ; 
Farmer  conj.  MS.  '  black-coroned' ;  Mason  conj.  '  black- 
crozvned';  Jackson  conj.  'dark-horned' ;  Singer  conj.  '  black- 
curtain'd/  etc. 

V.  i.  116.  'You  have  work';  so  Folios;  Hanmer,  'You  have 
work'd ' ;  Malone, '  You  have  done  work  ' ;  Steevens  conj.  '  You  've 
work'd.' 

V.  i.  136.  'as  a  cauterising';  Rowe's  emendation;  Folio  i, 
'  as  a  Cantherizing ' ;  Folios  2,  3,  4,  '  as  a  Catherising  ' ;  Pope, 
'  cauterizing ' ;  Capell,  '  cancerizing.' 

V.  i.  147.  'general,  gross:';  Pope's  emendation  of  Folios, 
'generall  grossc:';  S.  Walker  conj.,  adopted  by  Dyce,  'general- 
gross.' 

Y.  i.  213.  '  haste';  Pope,  'taste';  Warburton  conj.  MS. 
'  tatch ' ;  Collier  MS.  '  halter.' 

V.  ii.  7.  '  whom'  instead  of  '  who,'  owing  to  confusion  of  con- 
structions;  Pope,  'Who';  Hanmer,  'And' ;  Singer,  'When,'  etc. 

V.  ii.  8.  'made  a  particular  force' ;  Hanmer  reads  'had  .  .  . 
force';  Staunton  conj.  'took  .  .  .  truce';  Bailey  conj.  'had 
.    .    .    force  with,'  etc. 

V.  iii.  3-4.  These  words  are  in  all  probability  the  reflection  of 
the  soldier ;  this  view  is  certainly  more  acceptable  than  to  be- 
lieve them  to  be  an  inscription  placed  by  Timon  somewhere  near 
the  tomb.  Nor  is  it  necessary,  with  Warburton,  to  change  *"  read ' 
into  '  rear'd.'  The  soldier,  seeing  the  tomb,  infers  that  Timon  is 
dead,  but  he  cannot  read  the  inscription  ;  '  some  beast  read  this ! 
there  does  not  live  a  man  able  to  do  so  '  {v.  Preface). 

V.  iv.  28.  'Shame,  that  they  wanted  cunning,  in  excess';  Theo- 
bald's emendation  ('  extreme  shame  for  their  folly  in  banishing 
you  hath  broke  their  hearts')  ;  Folio  i  reads  '{Shame  that  they 
zvanted,  cunning  in  excesse)' ;  Folios  2,  3,  4,  'Shame  {that  they 
wanted  cunning  in  excesse)' ;  Johnson  conj.  'Shame  that  they 
wanted,  coming  in  excess.' 

V.  iv.  62.  '  render' d  to  your';  the  conj.  of  Chedworth, 
adopted  by  Dyce ;  Folio  i  reads  '  remedied  to  your ' ;  Folios  2,  3, 
4,  'remedied  by  your';  Pope,  'remedied  by';  Johnson,  'remedied 

126 


TIMON  or  ATHENS  Notes 

to';  Malone,  '  remedy  d,  to  your';  Singer   (ed.  2),  'remitted  to 
your.' 

V.  iv.  79.  '  On  thy  low  grave,  on  faults  forgiven.  Dead  ' ;  the 
reading  of  Folios;  Theobald  reads  'On  thy  low  grave. — On: 
faults  forgiven. — Dead  ' ;  Hanmer, '  On  thy  low  grave  our  faults — 
forgiv'n,  since  dead' 


127 


THE  LIFE  OF 


Explanatory  Notes. 


The  Explanatory  Notes  in  this  edition  have  been  specially  selected  and 
adapted,  with  emendations  after  the  latest  and  best  authorities,  from  the 
most  eminent  Shakespearian  scholars  and  commentators,  including  Johnson, 
Malone,  Steevens,  Singer,  Dyce,  Hudson,  White,  Furness,  Dowden,  and 
others.  This  method,  here  introduced  for  the  first  time,  provides  the  best 
annotation  of  Shakespeare  ever  embraced  in  a  single  edition. 


ACT  FIRST. 
Scene  I. 

I  et  seq.  In  Timon,  as  in  Coriolanus,  Shakespeare  put  his  own 
thoughts  and  feelings  into  the  mouths  of  the  various  characters 
of  the  play.  Falseness  and  ingratitude  are  the  subjects  of  the 
most  frequent  allusion.  They  were  uppermost  in  Shakespeare's 
mind  at  the  time,  and  the  changes  are  rung  upon  these  vices  by 
the  Epicurean  and  the  Cynic,  by  servants  and  strangers,  before 
and  after  the  climax.  Even  the  fickle  Poet  serves  as  spokesman 
for  the  all-prevailing  idea ;  and  the  Painter  is  every  whit  as  worth- 
less. 

30,31.  This  picture,  it  would  seem,  is  a  full-length  portrait  of 
Timon,  in  which  the  gracefulness  of  the  attitude  expresses  the 
habitual  standing  or  carriage  of  the  original. 

S7.  artiUcial  strife : — The  excellence  of  an  artist  was  often  set 
forth  by  representing  him  as  the  tutor  or  the  competitor  of  nature. 
"  The  execution  of  the  pencil  emulating  Nature,"  says  Heath, 
"  displays  a  life  in  those  touches  which  is  livelier  than  even  life 
itself."    So  in  the  Poet's  Venus  and  Adonis: — 

"  Look,  when  a  painter  would  surpass  the  life, 
In  limning  out  a  well  proportion'd  steed. 
His  art  with  nature's  workmanship  at  strife. 
As  if  the  dead  the  living  should  exceed." 

128 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Notes 

47-50.  tio  levcll'd  malice,  etc. : — Johnson  explains  the  passage 
thus :  '*  My  poem  is  not  a  satire  written  with  any  particular  view, 
or  lez'dl'd  at  any  single  person :  I  fly,  like  an  eagle,  into  a  general 
expanse  of  life,  and  leave  not,  by  any  private  mischief,  the  trace  of 
my  passage." 

59.  To  Apemantus: — Ritson  thinks  that  the  Poet,  seeing  that 
Apemantus  paid  frequent  visits  to  Timon,  naturally  concluded 
that  he  was  as  much  of  a  courtier  as  the  other  guests. 

171.  prized  by  their  masters: — Johnson  explains:  "Are  rated 
according  to  the  esteem  in  which  their  possessor  is  held."  For 
the  use  of  by,  compare  Coriolanus,  III.  ii.  52-54: — 

"  Because  that  now  it  lies  you  on  to  speak 
To  the  people ;  not  by  your  own  instruction. 
Nor  by  the  matter  which  your  heart  prompts  you,"  etc. 

180.  When  thou  art  Timon's  dog,  etc.: — "That  is,"  explains 
Rolfe,  "  till  you  become  a  dog,  and  these  knaves  become  honest — 
a  far-off  morrozv  to  wait  for."  Hanmer  read  "  When  I  am  Ti- 
mon's dog  "  ;  and  Johnson  interpreted  the  passage  thus  :  "  When 
thou  hast  gotten  a  better  character,  and  instead  of  being  Timon 
as  thou  art,  shalt  be  changed  to  Timon's  dog,  and  become  more 
worthy  kindness  and  salutation." 

185.  Here,  according  to  the  judgement  of  most  of  the  latest 
commentators,  begins  the  anonymous  workmanship.  Hudson 
(Harvard  ed.)  indicates  what  he  regards  as  the  anonymous  por- 
tions of  the  play  by  asterisks  placed  before  the  lines.  From  this 
indication  it  appears  that  Hudson  assigns  about  three-fifths  of 
the  play  to  Shakespeare,  including  nearly  the  whole  of  Act.  I.  i., 
all  of  Act  n.  i.,  most  of  Act  H.  ii..  almost  the  whole  of  Act  HI. 
vi.,  all  but  about  thirty  lines  of  Act  IV"..  and  all  except  a  dozen 
lines  of  Act  V.  White's  interesting  opinion  may  be  summarized 
as  follows :  Act  T.  Sc.  i.,  Shakespeare's  until  the  entrance  of 
Apemantus;  Sc.  ii..  not  Shakespeare's;  Act.  H.  Sc.  i.,  Shake- 
speare's; Sc.  ii..  Shakespeare's,  except  where  the  Fool  appears; 
Act  HI,  Sc.  i..  not  Shakespeare's,  except,  perhaps,  the  last  speech ; 
Sc.  ii.,  probably  not  Shakespeare's ;  Sc.  iii.,  not  Shakespeare's ;  Sc. 
iv.,  not  Shakespeare's;  Sc.  v.,  not  Shakespeare's;  Sc.  vi.,  mostly 
not  Shakespeare's;  Act  IV.  Sc.  i..  Shakespeare's;  Sc.  ii.,  mostly 
Shakespeare's;  Sc.  iii,  Shakespeare's,  "and  in  his  largest  style"; 
A.ct.  V.  Sc.  i.,  partly  Shakespeare's ;  Scs.  ii.  and  iii.,  not  Shake- 
speare's ;  Sc.  iv..  Shakespeare's  beyond  question. 

195.  for  the  irrr.oceKce: — Rolfe  says  that  "it  may  be  a  question 


Notes  THE  LIFE  OF 

whether  this  is  to  be  taken  literally  or  ironically."  Crosby  sur- 
mises that  "the  cynic  means  that  the  picture  has  no  spirit,  no  ex- 
pression ;  and  dog-like  he  prefers  it  on  that  account." 

233.  That  I  had  no  angry  wit  to  be  a  lord : — In  Clarke's  opinion, 
this  bears  "the  interpretation,  'That,  being  a  lord,  I  should  have 
no  angry  wit,'  no  faculty  for  acrimonious  satire — such  as  Ape- 
mantus  prides  himself  upon  possessing.  The  sentence  also  in- 
cludes the  effect  of  'that  I  had  given  up  (Apemantus's)  angry  wit 
in  order  to  be  a  lord.'  "  "  This,"  adds  Rolfe,  "  is  perhaps  the  best 
of  the  attempts  to  explain  the  text,  but  it  seems  rather  forced.  If 
we  simply  strike  out  angry,  we  doubtless  get  the  real  meaning  of 
the  passage.  The  adjective  is  almost  certainly  wrong,  but  it  is 
difficult  to  replace  it  satisfactorily." 


Scene  II. 

12.  13.  //  our  betters,  etc. : — That  is,  the  faults  of  rich  persons, 
as  the  world  goes,  are  thought  fair ;  still  they  are  faults. 

22.  confess  d  it!  hang'd  it: — Perhaps  an  allusion  to  a  proverbial 
saying  of  Shakespeare's  time,  "  Confess  and  be  hanged," 

35,  36.  /  myself  zvould  Jiave  no  power: — Tyrwhitt  explains  thus  : 
"  I  myself  would  have  no  power  to  make  thee  silent,  but  I  wish 
thou  wouldst  let  my  meat  make  thee  silent.  Timon,  like  a  polite 
landlord,  disclaims  all  power  over  the  meanest  or  most  trouble- 
some of  his  guests." 

27.  38.  'twould  choke  me,  for,  etc. : — "  I  could  not  swallow  thy 
meat,  for  /  could  not  pay  for  it  with  flattery."  So  Johnson  in- 
terprets. 

51.  my  windpipe's  dangerous  notes: — "The  notes  of  the  wind- 
pipe seem  to  be  only  the  indications  which  show  where  the  wind- 
pipe is."  Thus  Johnson.  Of  course  the  zvindpipe's  notes  are  "the 
sounds  or  motions  made  by  the  throat  in  drinking."  There  ap- 
pears to  be,  as  Steevens  observes,  a  quibble  on  windpipe  and  notes. 

109.  Thou  weep'st,  etc. : — On  this  rather  obscure  passage,  John- 
son remarks :  "  The  covert  sense  of  Apemantus  is,  '  what  thou 
losest,  they  get.'"  Heath's  explanation  is:  "The  words  Thou 
zveep'st  do  not  only  refer  to  the  tears  then  actually  shed,  but  to 
those  future  ones  for  which  Timon  was  laying  the  foundation ; 
.  .  .  implying  a  prediction  that  the  excess  of  drinking  to 
which  he  was  now  encouraging  his  false  friends  would  prove  the 
source  of  tears  to  him  flowing  from  real  regret."     Rolfe  finds 

130 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Notes 

neither  of  these  interpretations  satisfactory,  and  observes  that 
"  perhaps  the  expression  is  nothing  more  than  a  cynical  sneer  at 
tlie  incongruity  of  making  his  tears  an  occasion  for  their 
drinking." 

III.  like  a  babe: — "That  is,  a  weeping  babe,"  says  Johnson. 
Compare  Heywood,  Lovers  Mistress :  "  Joyed  in  his  looks,  look'd 
babies  in  his  eyes";  also  The  Christian  Turned  Turk,  1612: 
"  She  makes  him  sing  songs  to  her,  looks  fortunes  in  his  fists,  and 
babies  in  his  eyes." 

114.  Much  was  a  not  uncommon  ironical  expression  of  denial, 
contempt,  etc. 

132.  The  writer  probably  borrowed  this  idea  from  the  Puritani- 
cal writers  of  his  time.  Thus  Stubbes,  in  his  Anatomic  of  Abuses, 
1583 :  ''Dauncers  thought  to  be  madmen."  Again  :  "And  as  in 
all  feasts  and  pastimes  dauncing  is  the  last,  so  it  is  the  extream 
of  all  other  vice."  Once  more:  "There  were  (saith  Ludovicus 
Vives)  from  far  countries  certain  men  brought  into  our  parts  of 
the  world,  who,  when  they  saw  men  daunce,  ran  away,  marvel- 
lously affraid,  crying  otit  and  thinking  them  mad." 

1335  134-  Tike  madness,  etc. : — The  glory  of  this  life  is  just  such 
madness,  in  the  eye  of  reason,  as  this  pomp  appears  when  com- 
pared with  the  frugal  repast  of  a  man  feeding  on  oil  and  roots. 

ACT  SECOND. 
Scene  I. 

10.  no  porter  at  Jiis  gate: — Johnson  believed  that  a  line  after 
this  descriptive  of  a  surly  porter  has  been  lost.  Staunton  con- 
jectured grim  porter,  and  so  reads  Hudson  (Harvard  ed.). 

32.  Which  flashes  nozv  a  phmiix: — Which  (for  who)  refers  to 
Timon;  according  to  the  common  practice  of  Shakespeare's  day. 

Scene  II. 

17.  we'll  forth  again: — That  is,  to  hu];iting;  it  was  then  the 
custom  to  hunt  after  dinner  as  well  as  before.  Thus  in  Tancred 
and  Gismunda,  1592:  "He  means  this  evening  in  the  park  to 
hunt."  Queen  Elizabeth,  during  her  stay  at  Kenil worth  Castle, 
hunted  in  the  afternoon. 

72)y  74.  Slic  's  e'en,  etc. : — Alluding  to  the  scalding  of  chickens, 

131 


Notes  THE  LIFE  OF 

to  get  the  feathers  off.  And  v/ith  this  is  joined  a  reference  to  a 
certain  disease  and  to  the  sweating-tub  used  for  the  curing  of  it ; 
which  tub,  according  to  Randle  Hohne,  persons  '*  were  put  into, 
not  to  boyl  up  to  an  heighth,  but  to  parboyV 

94.  to  Lord  Tiuwn's: — They  are  already  in  Timon's  house. 
Here  is  some  blunder  hard  to  explain.  In  Clarke's  opinion  the 
presence-chamber  or  banqueting-room  of  Timon  is  meant. 

117,118.  artificial  one: — Meaning  the  great  object  of  all  al- 
chemical research,  the  philosopher's  stone,  in  the  author's  time 
much  talked  of. 

138.  that  unaptness  made,  etc. : — The  construction  is,  and  you 
made  that  unaptness  your  minister — you  made  my  indisposition 
serve  you. 

194-202.  you  to  Lord  Lucius  .  .  .  hum! — Hudson  (Har- 
vard ed.)  agrees  with  Fleay  in  regarding  this  as  non-Shake- 
spearian, and  in  giving  the  next  speech  to  a  servant.  Furnivall, 
on  the  contrary,  argues  that  "  the  Steward,  in  answer  to  this  re-, 
quest,  says  that  he  has  already  asked  the  senators;  and  he  gives 
Timon  their  answer,  that  they  will  not  lend  the  money.  Timon, 
however,  does  not  get  angry  about  their  refusal ;  he  rrerely  ex- 
plains it  and  excuses  it : — 

'  These  old  fellows 
Have  their  ingratitude  in  them  hereditary : 
Their  blood  is  caked,  'tis  cold,  it  seldom  flows.' 

Thus  the  refusal  of  these  old  curmudgeons  does  not  affect  Timon, 
does  not  anger  him  at  all.  It  is  his  own  personal  friends  that  he 
relies  on,  and  whose  refusal  he  thinks  impossible.  Again,  if 
Shakespeare  only  sent  to  the  senators  and  Ventidius.  he  would 
have  left,  as  the  cause  of  the  entire  and  terrible  change  in 
Timon's  nature,  nothing  but  the  refusal  of  one  false  friend,  Ven- 
tidius;  and  this,  when  the  refusal  is  not  given  i\  the' play,  ex- 
cept by  reference.  I  cannot  believe  that  Shakespea:-c  would  make 
the  ingratitude  of  one  man  the  sole  cause  of  Timon's  entire 
change  of  character.  This  would  not  be  motive  enough;  we 
must  have  refusal  and  ingratitude  from  more  friends  than  one ; 
and  I  therefore  believe,  that  Shakespeare  wrote  these  few  prose 
words  ordering  the  servants  to  go  to  Lucius  and  Lucullus  (and 
possibly  to  Sempronius).  as  well  as  the  Steward  to  go.  first  to  the 
senators,  and  then — that  having  been  already  tried — to  Ventidius. 
It  is  quite  possible  that  the  expander  of  the  play  put  in  the  sen- 
tence, '  You  to  Sempronius  '   (the  third  friend),  for  Shakespeare 

132 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Notes 

has  not  introduced  a  third  servant  by  name.  But  this  is  not  cer- 
tain, as  the  direction  of  the  Folio  i-^.  'Enter  three  Servants."  and  a 
fouith  false  friend,  and  a  fourth  refusal,  help  to  strengthen  the 
motive  for  Timon's  change  of  character." 

ACT  THIRD. 
Scene  I. 

47.  solidares: — ''I  believe."  says  Steevens.  "this  coin  is  from  the 
mint  of  the  Poet."  Florio  describes  an  Italian  coin  called  a  solido 
as  being  of  the  value  of  a  shilling,  which  may  have  been  the 
origin  of  the  dramatist's  coinage. 

67.  His  for  its,  as  in  I.  i.  31. 

Scene  H. 

24-26.  had  he  mistook  him,  etc.: — Lucius  means  that  though  it 
would  have  been  a  mistake  in  Timon  to  apply  to  him,  who  had 
received  but  few  favours  from  him  in  comparison  to  those  be- 
stowed on  Lucullus,  yet  he  could  not  have  denied  him. 

88.  /  would  have  put  my  wealth  into  donation : — The  meaning 
evidently  is.  "  Though  he  has  never  given  me  anything.  I  would 
have  regarded  my  wealth  as  a  gift  from  him,  and  returned  him 
the  best  part  of  it." 

Scene  III. 

7.  Hozv!  have  they  denied  him? — This  speech  is  given  with 
the  verse-like  arrangement  of  lines  with  which  it  is  printed  in 
the  Folio ;  "  but,  if  it  were  ever  constructed  in  verse,"  says 
White,  "  only  the  irreparable  wreck  remains."  Hudson,  both  in 
earlier  and  later  editions,  prints  it.  all  but  the  closing  couplet,  as 
prose. 

31.  set  him  clear: — The  commentafors  have  had  much  to  say 
on  this  passage.  According  to  Warburton  it  means  to  "  bafifle 
the  devil,  outdo  him  at  his  own  weapons."  Him,  of  course,  refers 
to  man.  Crossed,  as  Johnson  and  others  have  thought,  means 
exempted  from  evil ;  and  in  their  view  it  is  the  devil  who  is  to  be 
set  clear  of  the  guilt  of  temnting  man.  "  Servilius,"  says  Mason, 
"  means  to  say  that  the  devil  did  not  foresee  the  advantage  that 

133 


Notes  THE  LIFE  OF 

would  arise  to  himself  from  thence,  when  he  made  man  politic : 
he  redeemed  himself  by  it,  for  men  will,  in  the  end,  become  so 
much  more  villainous  than  he  is,  that  they  will  set  him  clear ;  he 
will  appear  innocent  when  compared  with  them."  Steevens  gives 
"  the  notes  of  all  the  commentators,"  and  then  declares  himself 
to  be  "  in  the  state  of  Dr.  Warburton's  devil — puzzled,  instead  of 
being  set  clear  by  them."  Hudson  explains  it  thus :  "  In  making 
man  crafty,  or  full  of  cunning  shifts,  the  devil  overreached  or 
thzvarted  himself;  for  man  is  likely  to  outdo  him  so  far  in  wicked- 
ness as  to  pluck  his  laurels  from  him,  and  make  him  seem  but  a 
poor  devil  after  all." 

Scene  IV. 

i6.  one  may  reach  deep  enough,  etc.: — Steevens  expounds 
this  as  follows :  "  Still,  perhaps,  alluding  to  the  effects  of  win- 
ter, during  which  some  animals  are  obliged  to  seek  their  scanty 
provision  through  a  depth  of  snow." 

91.  Knock  me  dozen  with  'em  : — There  is  here  an  implied  play 
upon  words :  bills  formerly  meant,  in  one  use,  a  weapon.  The 
name  was  given  especially  to  certain  weapons  carried  by  foresters, 
watchmen,  etc. 

Scene  V. 

55.  by  mercy: — Johnson  explains  the  passage  thus:  "I  call 
Mercy  herself  to  witness  that  defensive  violence  is  just."  Ma- 
lone's  interpretation  is :  "  Homicide  in  our  own  defence,  by  a 
merciful  and  lenient  interpretation  of  the  laws,  is  considered  as 
justifiable." 

116.  'Tis  honour,  etc.: — "That  is,"  explains  Heath,  "govern- 
ments are  in  general  so  ill  administered  that  there  are  very  few 
whom  it  is  not  an  honour  to  oppose."  Clarke's  opinion  is  that 
the  general  means  merely  to  say,  "the  more  war  the  more  glory." 
But  Heath's  explanation  seems  to  suit  the  context  better. 

Scene  VI. 

102,  103.  Of  man  and  beast  tJie  infinite  malady,  etc.: — "I  sus- 
pect," says  White,  "  that  there  is  corruption  here.  Why  should 
the  infinite  malady  crust?  Did  not  Shakespeare  write  'the  in- 
fectious malady'?     See  Coriolanus,  Act  I.  Sc.  4: 

134 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Notes 

' — Boils  and  plagues 
Plaster  you  o'er ;  that  you  may  be  abhorr'd 
Farther  than  seen,  and  one  infect  another 
Against  the  wind  a  mile  !  '  " 

123,  As  Timon  has  in  fact  thrown  nothing  at  his  guests  but 
warm  water  and  dishes,  it  is  not  altogether  clear  why  stones 
should  be  thus  mentioned  in  this  place.  The  things  thrown  may, 
it  is  true,  have  had  much  the  same  effect  as  stones,  and  thus  led 
the  speaker  to  mistake  them  for  such  missiles.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  common  use  of  stones  in  such  a  way  may  have  caused 
other  missiles  to  be  designated  by  that  term.  Or  the  need  of 
something  to  ihymc  with  hones  may  have  suggested  the  word. 
But  the  most  probable  explanation  is  found  in  an  old  play  on  the 
subject,  in  which  Timon  invites  his  false  friends  to  a  feast,  but, 
instead  cf  wa.m  water,  sets  before  them  stones  painted  to  look 
like  artichokes,  which  he  afterwards  throws  at  them,  and  drives 
them  out.  The  date  of  this  play  is  not  fully  ascertained,  but  the 
play  is  supposed  to  have  been  written  before  Shakespeare's. 

ACT  FOURTH. 
Scene  I. 

Timon  is  unable  to  accept  his  sorrow,  and  hold  his  nature  stren- 
uously under  command  until  it  can  adjust  itself  to  the  altered 
state  of  things.  He  flings  himself  from  an  airy,  unreal  philan- 
thropy into  passionate  hatred  of  men.  He  is  a  revolter  from 
huminity.  He  foams  at  the  mouth  wirh  imprecation.  He  shakes 
off  the  dust  of  Athens  from  his  feet,  and  strives  to  maintain  him- 
self in  isolation,  the  one  protester  in  the  world  against  the 
cruelty  and  selfishness  and  baseness  of  the  race. 

Scene  H. 

8-11.  As  zve  do  turn  .  .  .  away :— Mason,  very  speciously, 
as  White  thinks,  suggested  that  we  should  transpose  from  and 
to  in  this  sentence,  and  read — 

"As  we  do  turn  our  backs 
To  our  companion,  thrown  into  his  grave, 
So  his  familiars  from  his  buried  fortunes 
Slink  all  away." 

135 


Notes  THE  LIFE  OF 

"  Undoubtedly,"  says  White,  "  when  we  leave  the  graves  of  our 
friends,  we  turn  our  backs  to  or  on  them,  and  Timon's  parasites 
did  slink  away  from  his  fallen  fortunes.  But  this  sentence  is 
written  in  a  freer  style  than  perhaps  would  be  permissible  now- 
adays. Here  turn  our  hacks  is  used  as  the  equivalent  of  go  away; 
and  the  conduct  of  Timon's  familiars  is  spoken  of  in  its  relation 
to  his  buried  fortunes."     Hudson  adopts  Mason's  transposition. 


Scene  III. 

3-8.  Twinn'd  brothers  .  .  .  nature: — Brother,  when  his  for- 
tune is  enlarged,  will  scorn  brother.  Not  even  beings  besieged 
with  misery  can  bear  good  fortune  without  contemning  their 
fellow  creatures,  above  whom  accident  has  elevated  them. 

30,31.  Aristophanes,  in  his  Plutus,  makes  the  priest  of  Jupiter 
desert  his  service  to  live  with  Plutus. 

32.  This  alludes  to  a  practice  ascribed  to  some  nurses  of 
brutally  drawing  away  the  pillow  from  under  the  heads  of  the 
dying  to  hasten  their  departure. 

63,  64.  the  rot  returns,  etc.: — This  alludes  to  the  old  erroneous 
prevalent  opinion,  that  infection  communicated  to  another  left 
the  infector  free.  "  I  will  not,"  says  Timon,  "  take  the  rot  from 
thy  lips  by  kissing  thee."  In  this  scene  we  trace  the  dramatist's 
reading  to  Plutarch's  Alcibiadcs,  North's  translation;  there  being 
no  mention  made  of  the  courtesans  in  either  of  the  sources  whence 
the  other  materials  of  the  play  were  drawn.  Thus  in  Plutarch : 
"  Now  was  Alcibiades  in  a  certaine  village  of  Phrygia  with  a 
concubine  of  his  called  Timandra.  So  he  dreamed  one  night  that- 
he  had  put  on  his  concubines  apparell,  and  how  she  had  dressed 
his  head,  frizeled  his  haire,  and  painted  his  face,  as  he  had  bene 
a  woman ;  and  the  voice  goeth,  this  vision  was  but  a  litle  before 
his  death.  Those  that  were  sent  to  kill  him  durst  not  enter  the 
house  where  he  was,  but  set  it  on  fire  round  about.  Alcil^iades, 
spying  the  fire,  got  such  apparell  and  hangings  as  he  had,  and 
threw  it  on  the  fire,  thinking  to  put  it  out;  and  so,  casting  his 
cloke  about  his  left  arme,  tooke  his  naked  sword  in  his  other 
hand,  and  ranne  out  of  the  house,  himselfe  not  once  touched  with 
the  fire,  saving  his  clothes  were  a  litle  singed.  These  murtherers, 
so  soone  as  they  spied  him,  drew  backe,  and  stood  asunder,  and 
durst  not  one  of  them  come  neere  him,  to  stand  and  fight  with 
him;  but  afarre  off  they  bestowed  so  many  arrowes  and  darts  on 

136 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Notes 

him.  that  they  killed  him  there.  Now,  when  they  had  left  him, 
Timandra  went  and  tooke  his  body,  which  she  wrapped  up  in  the 
best  linen  she  had  and  buried  him  as  honourably  as  she  could." 

133.  Brandes  says :  "  Compare  this  scene  with  the  latter  part 
of  Plutarch's  Alcibiadcs,  to  which  Shakespeare  had  referred,  and 
see  what  the  Poet's  acrimony  has  made  of  Timandra,  the  faithful 
mistress  who  follows  Alcibiades  to  Phrygia.  They  are  together 
when  his  murderess  sets  fire  to  the  house,  and  it  is  Timandra  who 
enshrouds  his  body  in  the  most  costly  material  she  possesses,  and 
gives  him  as  splendid  a  funeral  as  her  isolated  position  can 
secure." 

I33»  134-  Enough  to  make  .  .  .  bazvd : — That  is,  "enough  to 
make  whores  leave  whoring,  and  a  bawd  leave  making  whores." 

144,  145.  thatch  your  poor  thin  roofs,  etc. : — The  fashion  of 
periwigs  for  women,  which  Stowe  informs  us  "  were  brought 
into  England  about  the  time  of  the  massacre  of  Paris,"  seems  to 
have  been  a  fertile  source  of  satire.  Stubbes,  in  his  Anatomie  of 
Abuses,  says  that  it  was  dangerous  for  any  child  to  wander,  as 
nothing  was  more  common  than  for  women  to  entice  such  as  had 
fine  locks  into  private  places,  and  there  to  cut  them  off.  In 
A  Mad  World  My  Masters,  1608,  the  custom  is  decried  as  un- 
natural:  "To  wear  periwigs  made  of  another's  hair,  is  not  this 
against  kind?"     So  Drayton,  in  his  Mooncalf: — 

"  And  with  large  sums  they  stick  not  to  procure 
Hair  from  the  dead,  yea,  and  the  most  unclean ; 
To  help  their  pride  they  nothing  will  disdain." 

151  ct  seq.  Brandes  says:  "They  shout  to  him  for  more  gold; 
they  will  '  do  anything  for  gold.'  Timon  answers  them  in  words 
which  Shakespeare,  for  all  the  pathos  of  his  youth,  has  never 
surpassed,  words  whose  frenzied  scathing  has  never  been 
equalled." 

177-179.  Common  mother,  etc.: — This  image  would  almost 
make  one  imagine  that  Shakespeare  was  acquainted  with  some 
personifications  of  nature  similar  to  the  ancient  statues  of  Diana 
Ephesia  Multimammia. 

183.  crisp  : — This  epithet  probably  has  about  the  same  meaning 
here  as  that  conveyed  by  the  cnrl'd  clouds  in  The  Tempest,  1.  ii. 
192.  In  Milton's  Comus,  984,  we  find  "  the  crisped  shades  and 
bowers,"  apparently  referring  to  the  curling  tendrils  or  leaves  of 
vines. 

252  et  seq.  "  There  is  in  this  speech."  says  Johnson,  "  a  sullen 

137 


Notes  THE  LIFE  OF 

haughtiness  and  malignant  dignity,  suitable  at  once  to  the  lord 
and  the  man-hater.  The  impatience  with  which  he  bears  to  have 
his  luxury  reproached  by  one  that  never  had  luxury  within  his 
reach  is  natural  and  graceful.  There  is  in  a  letter,  written  by  the 
Earl  of  Essex,  just  before  his  execution,  to  another  nobleman,  a 
passage  somewhat  resembling  this,  with  which,  I  believe,  every 
reader  will  be  pleased,  though  it  is  so  serious  and  solemn  that  it 
can  scarcely  be  inserted  without  irreverence :  '  God  grant  your 
lordship  may  quickly  feel  the  comfort  I  now  enjoy  in  my  un- 
feigned conversion,  but  that  you  may  never  feel  the  torments  I 
have  suffered  for  my  long  delaying  it.  I  had  none  but  divines 
to  call  upon  me,  to  whom  I  said,  if  my  ambition  could  have  en- 
tered into  their  narrow  breasts,  they  would  not  have  been  so 
humble;  or  if  my  delights  had  been  once  tasted  by  them,  they 
would  not  have  been  so  precise.  But  your  lordship  hath  one  to 
call  upon  you  that  knoweth  what  it  is  you  now  enjoy,  and  what 
the  greatest  fruit  and  end  is  of  all  contentment  that  this  world 
can  afford.  Think,  therefore,  dear  earl,  that  I  have  staked  and 
buoyed  all  the  ways  of  pleasure  unto  you,  and  left  them  as  sea- 
marks for  you  to  keep  the  channel  of  religious  virtue.  For  shut 
your  eyes  never  so  long,  they  must  be  open  at  the  last,  and  then 
you  must  say  with  me,  there  is  no  peace  to  the  ungodly.'  " 

263-266.  as  leaves,  etc. : — Somewhat  of  the  same  imagery  is 
found  in  the  LXXIII.  Sonnet  of  Shakespeare  : — 

"  That  time  of  year  thou  mayst  in  me  behold 
When  yellow  leaves,  or  none,  or  few,  do  hang 
Upon  those  boughs  which  shake  against  the  cold, 
Bare  ruin'd  choirs,  where  late  the  sweet  birds  sang." 

275,276.  If  thou  hadst  not  .  .  .  nattcrer:— Johnson  says: 
"  Dryden  has  quoted  two  verses  of  Virgil  to  show  how  well  he 
could  have  written  satires.  Shakespeare  has  here  given  a  speci- 
men of  the  same  power,  by  a  line  bitter  beyond  all  bitterness,  in 
which  Timon  tells  Apemantus  that  he  had  not  virtue  enough  for 
the  vices  which  he  condemns.  I  have  heard  Mr.  Burke  commend 
the  subtlety  of  discrimination  with  which  Shakespeare  distin- 
guishes the  present  character  of  Timon  from  that  of  Apemantus. 
whom,  to  vulgar  eyes,  he  would  seem  to  resemble." 

S3i.  Thou  singly  honest  man  :—Wi\kts  finds  in  Timon's  praise 
of  Flavins  "the  second  instance,  only,  out  of  twenty-nine  plays, 
in  which  a  man  of  less  rank  than  a  noble,  or  a  knight,  is  spoken 
of  with  approbation  and  respect.     The  first   instance   is  that  of 

138 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Notes 

old  Adam  in  As  You  Like  It.  It  is  worthy  of  observation,  how- 
ever, that  one  of  the  characters,  at  the  opening  of  the  next  Act, 
reports  that  Timon  had  given  to  his  steward  a  mighty  sum. 
And  here  it  should  be  remarked  that  the  stewards  of  great  lords 
and  millionaires,  like  Timon,  were  often  of  exceedingly  good 
families,  as  we  see  by  the  steward  of  Goneril  in  King  Lear,  who 
is  almost  a  cabinet  minister." 


ACT  FIFTH. 
Scene  I. 

[Enter  Poet  and  Painter.]  The  Poet  and  Painter  were  within 
view  when  Apemantiis  parted  from  Timon ;  they  must  therefore 
be  supposed  to  have  been  wandering  about  the  woods  in  search 
of  Timon's  cave,  and  to  have  heard  in  the  interim  the  particulars 
of  Timon's  bounty  to  the  thieves  and  the  steward.  But  Shake- 
speare was  not  attentive  to  these  minute  particulars,  and  if  he  and 
the  audience  knew  these  circumstances,  he  would  not  scruple  to 
attribute  the  knowledge  to  persons  who  perhaps  had  not  yet  an 
opportunity  of  acquiring  it. 

208  et  seq.  This  was  suggested  by  a  passage  in  Plutarch's  Life 
of  Antonius,  where  it  is  said  Timon  addressed  the  people  of 
Athens  m  similar  terms  from  the  public  tribune  in  the  market- 
place. 

Scene  III. 

3.  Timon  is  dead : — The  scholiast  of  Aristophanes  has  the  story 
that  Timon  died  from  the  mortification  of  a  limb,  broken  by  an 
accident  in  the  country,  and  lacking  the  contemned  attendance  of 
a  surgeon. 

Scene  IV. 

[Alcibiades.]  Although  possessed  of  none  of  the  potential 
nobleness  of  Timon,  Alcibiades  has  one  faculty — that  of  perceiv- 
ing such  things  as  lie  within  the  range  of  his  limited  observation. 
He  does  not  see  the  whole  world,  but  he  sees  the  positive  limited 
half  of  it  rightly  in  the  main.  He  is  less  than  Timon,  and  yet 
greater ;  for  Timon  miserably  fails  through  want  of  the  one  gift 
which  Alcibiades  has.     In  like  manner,  Hamlet  failed  for  want 

139 


Notes  THE  LIFE  OF 

of  the  gift  which  Fortinbras  possessed;  and  yet  Hamlet's  was  be- 
yond all  measure  a  larger  and  rarer  soul  than  that  of  the  Prince 
of  Norway.  Alcibiades  has,  at  least,  not  been  living  in  a  dream; 
he  lays  hold  of  the  positive  and  coarser  pleasures  of  life,  and  en- 
dures its  positive,  limited  pains,  definite  misfortunes  which  lie 
within  appreciable  bounds.  No  absolute,  ideal  anguish  like  that 
of  Timon  can  overwhelm  him. 

70-73.  Here  lies,  etc. : — What  is  here  given  as  one  epitaph  is 
really  a  combination  of  two,  as  may  be  seen  by  consulting 
North's  Plutarch.  The  reader  will  of  course  observe  the  incon- 
sistency between  the  two  couplets,  the  first  saying,  "  Seek  not  my 
name  "  ;  the  second,  "  Here  lie  I,  Timon."  How  the  two  got  thus 
thrown  together,  it  were  vain  to  speculate :  possibly  the  dramatist 
was  in  doubt  which  to  choose,  and  so  copied  them  both,  and 
then  neglected  to  erase  the  one  which  he  meant  to  reject.  In 
The  Palace  of  Pleasure  the  epitaph  is  given  thus: — 

"  My  wretched  catife  dayes  expired  now  and  past, 
My  carren  corps  intered  here  is  fast  in  grounde, 
In  waltering  waves  of  swelling  sea  by  surges  cast : 
My  name  if  thou  desire,  the  gods  thee  doe  confounde." 


140 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS 


Questions  on  Timon  of  Athens, 


1.  To  what  period  of  the  Poet's  career  is  Timon  of  Atliois  as- 
signed?  With  what  other  plays  is  it  associated  in  the  time  scheme? 

2.  What  has  been  said  by  critics  about  the  doubtful  authorship 
of  parts?  What  parts  are  assigned  to  Shakespeare?  Who  have 
been  suggested  as  co-authors? 

3.  From  what  sources  were  the  materials  of  the  play  probably 
derived  ? 

4.  Is  it  recorded  that  Timon  of  Athens  was  ever  played  upon 
the  stage  in  Shakespeare's  era?  Do  you  see  any  reason  that 
makes  it  unsuitable  for  a  stage-play? 

ACT  FIRST. 

5.  Interpret  the  meaning  of  the  expression  concerning  the 
world,  in  line  3,  //  zvcars,  sir,  as  it  grozi's. 

6.  What  does  the  opening  Scene  convey  of  the  atmosphere  in 
which  the  life  of  Timon  is  passed? 

7.  Give  some  estimate  of  the  character  of  the  Poet  as  indicated 
by  his  account  of  his  art  beginning  line  20. 

8.  What  standard  of  excellence  is  assumed  for  the  judging  of 
the  art  of  printing  in  the  conversation  of  the  Poet  and  the  Painter? 

9.  How  does  the  Poet  describe  the  people  who  surround 
Timon?  What  does  he  say  of  Apemantus?  What  is  fore- 
shadowed by  the  allegory  that  he  draws  for  the  Painter?  How 
is  the  Painter  himself  affected  by  the  recital? 

10.  Show  what  the  Ventidius  episode  contributes  to  the  plot. 
Comment  on  the  naturalism  of  the  subsequent  colloquy  with  the 
Old  Athenian  concerning  the  marriage  of  his  daughter. 

11.  Show  the  dramatic  purpose  in  introducing  Apemantus  at 
this  stage  of  the  play.  What  is  there  in  this  colloquy  from  line 
184  onward  that  has  led  to  its  condemnation  as  the  work  of 
Shakespeare?  From  previous  hints  is  it  not  likely  that  Shake- 
speare designed  the  character? 

12.  In  Sc.  ii.  what  does  Timon  say  about  the  return  of  gifts? 

141 


Questions  THE  LIFE  OF 

13.  How  does  Apemantus  reveal  himself  in  the  grace  he  offers 
to  the  gods? 

14.  Does  Timon's  speech  upon  friendship  show  him  to  be  a  bad 
observer  of  men? 

15.  Does  the  generosity  of  Timon  strike  you  as  fulsome?  Is 
this  impression  conveyed  aside  from  the  fact  that  the  speech  of 
Flavius  soon  apprises  us  of  his  approaching  bankruptcy? 

16.  What  has  Act  I.  established  as  the  underlying  idea  of  the 
plot?  What  are  the  positive  elements  of  Timon's  character? 
Do  they  win  admiration?  Does  the  Act  fail  to  present  certain 
elements  concerning  him  that  might  aid  in  a  higher  appreciation  ? 


ACT  SECOND. 

17.  Show  the  turn  in  the  tide  indicated  by  the  Senator's 
speeches  in  Sc.  i.  How  is  prudence  here  weighed  against  friend- 
ship, marking  a  sharp  contrast  with  parts  of  the  first  Act? 

18.  For  what  does  Flavius's  speech  at  the  opening  of  Sc.  ii. 
prepare?  How  does  Flavius  prove  himself  a  resourceful  servant? 
What  dramatic  expedient  is  served  by  his  manner  of  disposing  of 
the  servants  of  Timon's  creditors? 

19.  Why  are  lines  45-126  judged  non-Shakespearian? 

20.  What  is  Timon's  proposal  when  he  hears  that  his  treasury 
is  exhausted?  How  does  he  extenuate  his  past  conduct?  Upon 
what  does  he  place  reliance? 

21.  To  what  does  Timon  refer  in  line  204  when  he  speaks  of  the 
Senators,  of  whom,  even  to  the  state's  best  health,  he  has  de- 
served a  hearing? 

22.  WHiat  is  the  state  of  Ventidius's  fortune  when  Timon  ap- 
plies to  him  for  aid? 

ACT  THIRD. 

23.  How  does  Flaminius,  Timon's  servant,  fare  at  the  house  of 
Lucullus?  How  does  he  reflect  upon  the  ingratitude  of  Lucul- 
lus? 

24.  What  type  of  man  is  portrayed  in  Lucius  in  Sc.  ii.? 

25.  Is  there  any  ironic  intention  in  the  words  of  the  First 
Stranger;  or  do  you  interpret  his  words  as  a  sincere  utterance 
like  those  of  Flaminius  at  the  close  of  the  first  Scene? 

26.  What  is  the  excuse  made  by  Sempronius? 

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TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Questions 

Q.'j.  How  is  Timon  affected  in  body  and  in  mind  by  the  treat- 
ment of  his  false  friends?     What  does  he  finally  determine  upon? 

28.  Does  the  episode  which  is  brought  out  in  Sc.  v.  seem  to 
invalidate  the  unity  of  the  piny?  Would  the  cise  be  improved 
by  naming  the  friend  for  whom  Alcibiades  pleads? 

29.  Is  there  not  a  subtle  harmony  between  the  case  of  Timon 
in  his  present  distress  and  that  of  the  man  under  condemnation 
by  the  Senate?  Is  the  unity  which  at  first  sight  seemed  destroyed 
in  respect  of  this  episode  partially,  at  least,  restored? 

30.  What  does  the  Senate  visit  upon  Alcibiades  for  his  per- 
sistent pleading?  How  is  this  later  inwrought  into  the  texture 
of  the  story? 

31.  Sc.  vi.  is  said  to  be  of  undoubted  Shakespearian  authorship. 
What  qualities  differentiate  it  from  the  rest  of  the  Act? 

32.  Who  were  present  at  Timon's  last  banquet?  Would  a  lesser 
dramatist  have  brought  Lucullus,  Lucius,  Sempronius,  and  Ven- 
tidius  again  upon  the  stage?     Why  did  not  Shakespeare? 

SS.  How  does  he  address  them  when  they  sit  at  the  table? 

34.  Compare  the  breaking  up  of  assembly  with  the  similar 
device  in  the  play  scene  of  Hamlet. 

35.  With  what  final  words  does  Timon  quit  the  scene? 


ACT  FOURTH. 

:^6.  Mention  some  elements  of  the  picture  of  human  society 
that  Timon  draws  in  his  imprecations  upon  Athens.  Are  these 
the  words  of  a  sane  man?  Is  a  man  sane  who  is  possessed  by  so 
powerful  a  passion? 

37.  How  does  he  compare  mankind  and  the  beasts?  What 
does  he  implore  of  the  gods  ? 

38.  What  is  the  purpose  of  Sc.  ii.?  Mention  some  un-Shake- 
spearian  qualities  of  Flavius's  speech  beginning  with  line  30. 

39.  What  things  are  the  object  of  Timon's  curse  in  the  open- 
ing of  Sc.  iii.?  Does  he  include  himself  in  his  general  disdain 
of  humanity?     Upon  what  does  he  subsist? 

40.  What  does  he  find  in  digging  in  the  earth  ?  How  does  he 
describe  the  power  of  money? 

41.  How  is  Alcibiades  accompanied  upon  his  entrance?  Does 
Timon  recognize  him?  Why  does  Timon  say,  /  do  zuish  thou 
wert  a  dog,  that  I  might  love  thee  something? 

42.  What  does  Timon  name  himself?     What  does  he  now  say 

143 


Questions  THE  LIFE  OF 

or  imply  concerning  friendship?     When,   in  his  opinion,   did  he 
suffer  miseries? 

43.  Against  Athens,  how  has  Alcibiades  arrayed  himself? 
What  injunctions  concerning  Athens  does  Timon  lay  upon  him? 
Notice  how  at  the  mention  of  pity  by  Alcibiades,  Timon  turns 
his  invective  mainly  against  pity  as  a  possible  accompaniment 
of  war. 

44.  What  attitude  to  x\lcibiades  personally  does  Timon  persist 
in?  What  is  his  attitude  towards  the  women  who  accompany 
Alcibiades? 

45.  Indicate  the  attitude  of  the  dramatist  towards  women  by 
the  way  these  two  curry  profit  out  of  Timon's  misanthropy? 

46.  How  in  line  176  does  Timon  define  his  malady? 

47.  Is  Nature  included  in  the  curses  Timon  heaps  upon  man- 
kind, and  if  so  to  what  extent  is  she  exonerated? 

48.  Show  the  dramatic  purpose  in  bringing  Timon  and  Ape- 
mantus  together.  How  do  you  contrast  their  respective  views 
of  human  society? 

49.  With  what  arguments  does  Apemantus  try  to  persuade 
Timon  of  the  folly  of  his  present  course?  What  is  there  in 
Timon  that  makes  such  a  life  as  Apemantus  recommends  impos- 
sible ? 

50.  In  lines  239  ct  scq.  how  does  Apemantus  read  Timon  ? 
What  degree  of  truth  is  there  in  his  words? 

51.  How  does  Timon  retort  upon  Apemantus?  Is  there  truth 
in  his  analysis? 

52.  Does  either  man  compel  admiration? 

53.  When  does  Timon  resolve  to  die? 

54.  How  does  he  apostrophize  gold  in  lines  beginning  with  385  ? 

55.  How  does  Timon  meet  the  Banditti  who  come  out  to  rob 
him?  What  warrant  from  nature's  laws  does  he  give  them  for 
practising  theft?  Compare  this  view  of  nature  with  that  of  a 
modern  author,  Robert  Louis  Stevenson,  in  an  essay  called 
Pulvis  et  Umbra. 

56.  What  effect  have  Timon's  words  upon  the  Banditti  ? 

57.  How  is  the  cause  of  Timon's  misanthropy  again  sounded  in 
the  words  of  Flavins? 

58.  In  what  way  does  the  unselfishness  of  Flavins  cause  Timon 
to  modify  his  new  creed?  How  does  Flavins  again  point  cut  the 
weakness  of  Timon? 

59.  With  what  admonitions  does  Timon  accompany  his  gift  of 
gold  to  Flavius?     In  this  is  he  consistent? 

144 


TIMON  OF  ATHENS  Questions 


ACT  FIFTH. 

60.  Does  the  scene  between  Timon  and  the  Poet  and  Painter 
suggest  Hamlet's  dialogue  with  Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern  in 
the  method  employed  in  leading  them  into  self-conviction? 

61.  Who  are  the  last  visitors  to  Timon  and  by  whom  are  they 
sent?  What  inducements  are  used  to  persuade  Timon  to  return 
to  Athens?  What  has  led  the  Senate  to  make  this  request? 
What  has  the  play  revealed  of  Timon's  past  history  to  warrant 
this  confidence  in  him? 

62.  Indicate  the  immediate  effect  upon  him  of  the  words  of  the 
Senators. 

63.  In  the  speech  beginning  line  171  does  Timon  show  a  gen- 
uine pity  for  mankind,  assuming  his  point  of  view  as  a  just  and 
righteous  one?  In  other  words  does  Shakespeare  prove  the  case 
of  misanthropy  as  a  legitimate  moral  view-point  ? 

64.  Does  Timon  in  his  latest  speeches  reach  a  pitch  of 
pessimism  that  seems  to  involve  more  than  mankind  in  his  ar- 
raignment for  the  evils,  to  use  his  words,  that  nature's  fragile 
vessel  doth  sustain  in  life's  uncertain  voyage?  Is  there  ever  a 
hint  that  men  are  helpless  in  the  hands  of  malevolent  deities? 

65.  What  is  effected  by  Scenes  ii.  and  iii.  ? 

66.  What  charges  does  Alcibiades  bring  against  Athens  in 
Sc.  iv.?  How  do  the  Senators  exonerate  Athens  and  the  present 
inhabitants  from  blame  for  that  which  Alcibiades  is  bringing  pun- 
ishment?    Upon  whom  do  they  allow  punishment  to  fall? 

67.  From  whence  did  Shakespeare  derive  the  epitaph  of  Timon? 
Of  the  two  couplets  which  do  you  consider  the  more  appropriate? 

68.  What  humour  is  there  in  the  comment  of  Alcibiades  upon 
Timon's  choice  of  a  resting-place?  What .  sublimity  in  the  fact 
itself? 

69.  How  does  this  Scene  present  a  justification  of  Timon? 


70.  The  hero  of  a  drama  should  commend  himself  to  the  in- 
tellectual approbation  if  not  to  the  moral  affections.  Does  Timon 
fulfil  either  of  these  demands?  Show  in  what  way  this  is  ef- 
fected, if  you  decide  affirma lively.  Has  Shakespeare  ever  before 
set  himself  so  difficult  a  problem? 

71,  Does  religion  or  philosophy  set  any  approval  upon  mis- 
anthropy?    Is  it  a  legitimate  motif  for  dramatic  art?     Has  any 

145 


Questions 

other  of  the  world's  great  dramatists  treated  the  motif?     If  so, 
has  it  been  treated  in  the  spirit  of  tragedy  or  comedy? 

72.  Does  the  present  day  development  of  philosophic  thought 
make  it  any  longer  possible  to  treat  misanthropy  as  a  tragic 
motif? 

73.  Comment  on  Shakespeare's  spiritual  state  at  the  time  of 
writing  this  play.  What  characters  save  the  play  from  inculca- 
ting absolute  pessimism?  In  what  ways  do  they  furnish  the  re- 
action from  the  dominant  implications? 

74.  Support  by  citation  from  the  play  the  following  criticism  by 
Lloyd:  "He  speaks  and  curses  in  spleen  and  sarcasm  rather 
than  malevolently,  and  the  natural  tendency  of  his  suggestions 
of  mischief  is  from  their  tone  rather  to  awaken  shame  and  self- 
mistrust  in  the  vicious  than  to  stimulate  to  vice,  and  some  notes 
of  lamentation  and  remonstrance  are  audible  amidst  and  above 
his  angry  complaints." 

75.  Show  the  similarity  and  contrast  between  Coriolanus  and 
Timon. 

76.  In  what  way  is  Apemantus  related  to  Thersites? 

yy.  Mention  some  passages  of  poetry  that  may  be  said  to  pos- 
sess sublimity  and  show  their  dramatic  fitness. 

78.  Had  Shakespeare  bidden  the  world  farewell  with  this  phy 
what  would  be  assumed  as  to  his  knowledge  and  experience  of 
life?  What  evidence  have  we  that  he  attained  to  higher  spiritual 
levels? 


146 


UNIVERSITY   OF  CALIFORNIA-LOS   ANGELES 


L  009  978  341  7 


